Marsh Helleborine
Epipactis palustris
Its nectar contains natural ethanol and narcotic compounds that intoxicate pollinating wasps, making them sluggish and highly effective pollen carriers.
- Scientific name
- Epipactis palustris
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Asparagales › Orchidaceae › Epipactis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Fens, marshes, wet dune slacks, and calcareous damp meadows.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthetic), supplemented by mycorrhizal fungi.
- Range
- Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, Siberia
- Size
- 20 to 60 cm in height
- Lifespan
- Perennial (rhizomes can live for decades)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Wetland drainage, eutrophication, habitat fragmentation, and scrub encroachment.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Enjoy this delicate orchid from a safe distance on established boardwalks to avoid trampling its fragile wetland habitat. Do not pick or attempt to transplant, as they rely on highly specific soil fungi to survive.
Epipactis palustris , the marsh helleborine , is a species of orchid native to Europe and Asia.
Photo: Josh Hedley, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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