Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Epipactis gigantea (Chatterbox orchid)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Epipactis gigantea Dougl. ex Hook.

Chatterbox Orchid, Giant Hellebore, Stream orchid

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

USDA Symbol: EPGI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Orange , Yellow , Green , Purple , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WY
Canada: 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
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light 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 area
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

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. Wasowski
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.6 - Landscape Restoration, Wildflower Outlook, Wildflower Center Fall Festival, Dire...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Epipactis gigantea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Epipactis gigantea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Epipactis gigantea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: NPC

Go back