Epipactis gigantea

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Epipactis gigantea
Epipactis gigantea.jpg
Status TNC G4.svg
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Epipactis
Species:
E. gigantea
Binomial name
Epipactis gigantea
Synonyms [2]
List
    • Amesia gigantea
    • Arthrochilium giganteum
    • Cephalanthera kokanica
    • Epipactis americana
    • Epipactis pringlei
    • Helleborine gigantea
    • Limodorum giganteum
    • Peramium giganteum
    • Serapias gigantea

Epipactis gigantea is a species of orchid known as the stream orchid, giant helleborine, and chatterbox. This wildflower is native to western North America from British Columbia to central Mexico. [3] This is one of the most abundant orchids of the Pacific coast of North America. [4]

Contents

Description

Epipactis gigantea is an erect perennial reaching anywhere from 30 centimeters to one meter in height. Its stems have prominently-veined, wide or narrow lance-shaped leaves 5 to 15 centimeters long and inflorescences of two or three showy orchids near the top. Each flower has three straight sepals which are light brownish or greenish with darker veining, each one to two centimeters long. The two top petals are similar in shape and reddish-brown with purple veins. The lowest petal is cup-shaped with a pointed, tongue-like protuberance and is brighter red-brown and more starkly veined, often with areas of yellow. The fruit is a hanging capsule 2 or 3 centimeters long which contains thousands of tiny seeds. This plant grows in wet areas in a variety of habitats, including riverbanks, hot springs, and meadows at elevations less than 2,600 feet. Unlike some of its relatives, this species is an autotroph. A distinctive race with burgundy colored foliage is known from The Cedars in Sonoma County California, an area of serpentine rock, and it is called forma rubrifolia (P M Brown).

Taxonomy

Epipactis gigantea was scientifically described and named by David Douglas in 1839. It is classifed in the genus Epipactis as a part of the family Orchidaceae. It has no accepted subspecies or forms, but has 10 synonyms. [2]

Table of Synonyms
NameYearRankNotes
Amesia gigantea(Douglas) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.1913species≡ hom.
Arthrochilium giganteum(Douglas) Szlach.2003species≡ hom.
Cephalanthera kokanicaRegel ex Nevski1935species= het., pro syn.
Epipactis americanaLindl.1840species= het.
Epipactis gigantea f. rubrifoliaP.M.Br.1995form= het.
Epipactis pringleiGand.1919species= het.
Helleborine gigantea(Douglas) Druce1909species≡ hom.
Limodorum giganteum(Douglas) Kuntze1891species≡ hom., nom. illeg.
Peramium giganteum(Douglas) J.M.Coult.1894species≡ hom.
Serapias gigantea(Douglas) A.A.Eaton1908species≡ hom.
Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym  ; = heterotypic synonym

Cultivation

Epipactis gigantea is cultivated in the specialty horticulture trade and available as a non-wild collected propagated ornamental plant. A maroon-leaved (forma rubrifolia) cultivar is also grown, called 'Serpentine Night'.

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (3 October 2025). "Epipactis gigantea". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Epipactis gigantea Douglas". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. ↑ Flora of North America, v 26 p 585, Epipactis gigantea
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