# Marsh Helleborine

*Epipactis palustris*

Its nectar contains natural ethanol and narcotic compounds that intoxicate pollinating wasps, making them sluggish and highly effective pollen carriers.

- **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.

## About

Epipactis palustris , the marsh helleborine , is a species of orchid native to Europe and Asia.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/557d3fe2-d61b-46c6-aab2-f355eb62f023
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/56233
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipactis palustris
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/219905911/medium.jpg (Josh Hedley, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.