Native Plants
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Epipactis gigantea
Epipactis gigantea Douglas ex Hook.
Stream Orchid, Chatterbox Orchid, Giant Hellebore
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: EPGI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Leafy stems usually growing in dense patches and in the axils of each upper leaf 1 bilaterally symmetrical greenish-brown and pinkish flower.
The lower lip and "tongue" move when the flower is touched or shaken; thus giving it the alternate name Chatterbox.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4-1/2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , Orange , Yellow , Green , Purple , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WYCanada: BC
Native Distribution: British Columbia to Mexico; from the Pacific Coast east to the Rocky Mountains and the Black Hills.
Native Habitat: Ledges, Stream, river banks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based, Calcareous Acid-based
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Water garden, Bog or pond areaConspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root DivisionNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Bibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiBibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.6 - Landscape Restoration, Wildflower Outlook, Wildflower Center Fall Festival, Dire...Additional resources
USDA: Find Epipactis gigantea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Epipactis gigantea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Epipactis gigantea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-08Research By: NPC