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.
Best time to see a Helleborine
The best time to see a Helleborine is June–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,136 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Helleborine? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Helleborine sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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