The Orchid Garden

Can someone help me identify this plant?

Question:

since the only, more or less native, Epipactis in North America is Epipactis helleborine, this must be one.

There is actually a native species of Epipactis here in the states, E. gigantea. Epipactis helleborine is an introduced species from Europe. It has appeared, at least here in N. Cal, in landscaped areas as well as being well established in at least one park in a natural situation (Coastal Redwood stand at Jack London SP). That is one heck of a weird place to find one!! Might want to mention that to the next person you hear say that orchids are finicky! Regards, Scott

Response:

  I have noticed that wild plants will come up and thrive in the most bizarre of places.  They come up thru the asphalt of the roadsides, they grow through cracks in the sidewalk…they come up in your basement <g. If you *tried* to get them to grow in such locations, you would probably fail miserably.   It just doesn’t seem fair   Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – since the only, more or less native, Epipactis in North America is Epipactis helleborine, this must be one. There is actually a native species of Epipactis here in the states, E. gigantea. Epipactis helleborine is an introduced species from Europe. It has appeared, at least here in N. Cal, in landscaped areas as well as being well established in at least one park in a natural situation (Coastal Redwood stand at Jack London SP). That is one heck of a weird place to find one!! Might want to mention that to the next person you hear say that orchids are finicky! Regards, Scott

Before you buy.

Response:

Find a picture of Corallorhiza wisteriana, C. striata, C. trifida or C. maculata to compare to your picture.  My guess is C. wisteriana.  These are saprophytic plants in the orchid family that grows in almost dark conditions and feeds on decaying matter.  They have roots that resemble coral growths. They are known to grow in your area.  A common name is "CoralRoot".  Just a guess.  Al

Response:

PS.  Karen got these photos from the lady asking the question, posted them on her website and then sent the link to me.  That is why I refer to the pictures… http://www.knisbettdesigns.com/plant.html Now that other people can see these pictures someone might confirm… Sorry Karen. Al – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Find a picture of Corallorhiza wisteriana, C. striata, C. trifida or C. maculata to compare to your picture.  My guess is C. wisteriana.  These are saprophytic plants in the orchid family that grows in almost dark conditions and feeds on decaying matter.  They have roots that resemble coral growths. They are known to grow in your area.  A common name is "CoralRoot".  Just a guess.  Al

Response:

  Rob, Cris, Al, et. al:   Gee, post a couple of photos to the internet, send somebody the link and see how quickly they become public domain <g (kidding, Al)   Jay Phal has a photo of Epipactis helleborine on his (fabulously wonderful) site: http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/epiphelleborine.jpg  The shape of this flower and the one Rob shared with us do look to me more like the ond in Cris’ photo than the ones Al suggested.   One other site: http://www.orchids.org/ooc/  Go to ‘Other North American Orchids’ and click on the link ‘US Orchids ** java’.  A frame page w/ a map of the US comes up; click on New York.  In the list of native orchids in Rob’s Epipactis helleborine- the photo second from the right looks like the one we’re talking about.   So, any guesses as to how long this plant can survive in Cris’ basement?   Regards,   Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Cris, After seeing the photos I must say that it’s definitely an Epipactis. And since the only, more or less native, Epipactis in North America is Epipactis helleborine, this must be one. Normally the plants are not purplish-red in color. And they have under normal circumstances normal green leaves. But since your plant did grow up almost without light, this might be the result. The flowers on the other hand can very in color from almost greenish-white to almost red. The "cup" with the nectar is most of the times dark red. Check-out this link for a close-up photo and some information: http://www.wisc.edu/botany/Orchids/Epipactis.html Best wishes from The Netherlands,         Rob Zuiderwijk         Website : PhragWeb – The Phragmipedium WebSite                        (http://www.phragweb.com)

Before you buy.

Response:

 One other site: http://www.orchids.org/ooc/  Go to ‘Other North American Orchids’ and click on the link ‘US Orchids ** java’.  A frame page w/ a map of the US comes up; click on New York.  In the list of native orchids in Rob’s Epipactis helleborine- the photo second from the right looks like the one we’re talking about.

This little Java program is the coolest thing since battery operated robots. Click on any state you live in and get a list of native orchids with pictures.  They are working to develop one for Central and South America. It also looks like they have one for Europe too.  Al

Response:

I can’t thank you enough, all of you for your kind help in identifying this plant! After following your suggestions I found a picture on the web of Epipactis helleborine and that would be my plant! Perhaps mine is somewhat paler than the photo (link to page) http://astrpi.difi.unipi.it/Orchids/Genera/Epipactis/helleborine_deta… because it doesn’t get much light. I was also wondering if there is a way I can grow more of these from this plant.  I can’t dig this one up since the concrete is in the way, but I would love to enjoy this orchid in my garden! I think it would do much better with some sun (my yard is 90% shade). Any suggestions? Thank you all again for your help! Cris

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi! I live in Northwestern New Jersey. I purchased a home in January in a heavily wooded, mountainous area very near the New York State boarder. My basement, although it is a full basement, is a dug out dirt and rock basement. In May, my husband noticed a plant growing between two of the small slabs of concrete in the basement. It stood straight up and looked very much like a pale green (almost white) stick with wide brown stripes (like a leaf material). It leaned toward the little light that comes through one of the small windows at the foundation. We put a cinder block there to try to support it as it became around 3 ft. long. The wheat like head bloomed in June. The flowers are a very pale purple, 5 pointed star shape (3 points closer to the top with two closer to the bottom) with a cup coming from the center and filled with a ruby red nectar. The size of the blooms are about 3/8ths inch. There were multiple blooms around the stalk where the wheat like pods had been, with about 1/4 inch between them. I am hoping that you might be able to help, since I made contact with someone in England (I thought it might be a carnivorous plant because of the nectar) that felt as though by the shape of the flowers that it may be some type of wild orchid. I would be happy to email the two photos I took that came out (one prior to blooming and one with the blossoms) to anyone that is willing to help us identify this plant. It has become somewhat dear to us! Thank you in advance for any help you may have! Sincerely, Cris

Response:

Hello Cris, After seeing the photos I must say that it’s definitely an Epipactis. And since the only, more or less native, Epipactis in North America is Epipactis helleborine, this must be one. Normally the plants are not purplish-red in color. And they have under normal circumstances normal green leaves. But since your plant did grow up almost without light, this might be the result. The flowers on the other hand can very in color from almost greenish-white to almost red. The "cup" with the nectar is most of the times dark red. Check-out this link for a close-up photo and some information: http://www.wisc.edu/botany/Orchids/Epipactis.html Best wishes from The Netherlands,         Rob Zuiderwijk         Website : PhragWeb – The Phragmipedium WebSite                        (http://www.phragweb.com)

Response:

I wonder if your plant is an Indian-pipe?  This wildflower is parasitic or saprophytic (feeds on roots or decaying organic material).  The plants are very unusual in appearance–translucent, pale, waxy stems. You should probably get a field guide to wildflowers (like the one by Roger Tory Peterson) to help in identification.   Peter

Response:

Hi! I live in Northwestern New Jersey. I purchased a home in January in a heavily wooded, mountainous area very near the New York State boarder. My basement, although it is a full basement, is a dug out dirt and rock basement. In May, my husband noticed a plant growing between two of the small slabs of concrete in the basement. It stood straight up and looked very much like a pale green (almost white) stick with wide brown stripes (like a leaf material). It leaned toward the little light that comes through one of the small windows at the foundation. We put a cinder block there to try to support it as it became around 3 ft. long. The wheat like head bloomed in June. The flowers are a very pale purple, 5 pointed star shape (3 points closer to the top with two closer to the bottom) with a cup coming from the center and filled with a ruby red nectar. The size of the blooms are about 3/8ths inch. There were multiple blooms around the stalk where the wheat like pods had been, with about 1/4 inch between them. I am hoping that you might be able to help, since I made contact with someone in England (I thought it might be a carnivorous plant because of the nectar) that felt as though by the shape of the flowers that it may be some type of wild orchid. I would be happy to email the two photos I took that came out (one prior to blooming and one with the blossoms) to anyone that is willing to help us identify this plant. It has become somewhat dear to us! Thank you in advance for any help you may have! Sincerely, Cris

Response:

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