Epipactis gigantea

Quick Characteristics:

Epipactis gigantea grows from a rhizome that gradually expands and therefore can be included in our wiki. It has a common name of stream orchid and it is one of the easier orchids to cultivate. It is native to the Pacific states of the United States where it is found in year round seeps or at the margins of springs, streams, and lakes. It needs good drainage and year round water and dappled shade. It can be grown in a container, but should never be allowed completely to dry out even when dormant. Although it grows in areas with winter rainfall, it does not appear until spring and then flowers in the summer. The first two photos from Calflora were taken by Amber Bedgood in Ventura County, California, and shared under a CC BY-NC license. Photo 3 was taken by Michael Patterson (contributed by Kathleen Sayce) of a dark colored form on Svensen Island, Columbia River, Oregon. Photo 5 is of roots on a 10 mm grid by David Pilling.

Peter Baye and Karen Wilkinson took the first four photos in the Gualala River watershed in Sonoma County in 2012 and 2024. The last two photos from Bob Rutemoeller were taken in a similar location. During the winter it is likely occasionally covered with water when the river is high, but the water had retreated and it was blooming in July 2003.

In a serpentine area of Northern California called The Cedars there are specimens known as forma rubrifolia with purple leaves. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller in habitat showing the two colors of leaves and one just of the purple leaves. Cultivars 'Serpentine Night' and 'Serpentine Candy' were probably originally selected from this geographic location.