GIANT HELLEBORINE

Class: Epipactis gigantea

Family: ORCHID FAMILY

Sub Family: Orchidaceae

Year: Perennial

Other Names: Stream Orchis, Chatterbox

Colour: Purplish-rose

Height: 30 cm-1 m (1'-40")

Each Flower: 4 cm (1 1/2") across consisting of 3 greenish-yellow, sometimes pinkish-tinged, pointed sepals, often green-veined on back; side ones 2 cm (3/4") long, 7 mm (1/4") broad, top one shorter and narrower, upper 2 petals, more pinkish-tinged, strongly purple-veined inside; purple-rose lip, pouched and 3-lobed, middle lobe protruding, appears hinged; ovary about 1.5 cm (5/8") long, green, ribbed, tapering below into very short stem arising from leaf-axils at upper 1/4 of stem

Leaves: Narrow lance-shaped from 15-20 cm (6-8") long, 2.5-5 cm (1-2") broad, softly hairy, ribbed, diminishing into bracts up stem which they sheathe

Stems: Unbranched, green, smooth, rigid

Blooming Period:

Habitat: Very moist stream-banks, lake edges, and marshes

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