Broad-leaved helleborine
Epipactis helleborine
Its nectar contains trace amounts of ethanol and oxycodone-like systemic narcotics, which intoxicate pollinating wasps and make them sluggish, ensuring they stay longer to transfer pollen.
- Scientific name
- Epipactis helleborine
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Asparagales › Orchidaceae › Epipactis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, roadsides, and urban parks.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthetic), but relies heavily on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients, especially during germination.
- Range
- Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, North America
- Size
- 30 to 100 cm in height.
- Lifespan
- Perennial, living for several decades via underground rhizomes.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat destruction in its native range, though it is highly resilient and successfully colonizes disturbed areas.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch and safe to admire closely. Do not ingest any part of the plant, as its nectar and tissues contain naturally occurring narcotic compounds and toxins. If accidentally consumed, monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
Epipactis helleborine , the broad-leaved helleborine , is a terrestrial species of orchid with a broad distribution. Its nodding flowers vary from greenish pink to purple. It prefers shaded woodland environments.
Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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