Species PlantsHelleborine

Helleborine

Epipactis helleborine

CommonPlant
Illustration of Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine)

Helleborine is a European orchid that has naturalized across much of eastern North America, thriving in shaded forests, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It produces spikes of greenish-purple flowers that produce intoxicating nectar attracting and mildly stupefying wasps. It has spread remarkably rapidly since its introduction in the 1800s.

Habitat
Shaded forests, roadsides, and disturbed areas across eastern North America
Diet
Nectar consumed by wasps, particularly yellow jackets
How common
Common

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