Re: epipactis helleborine
> > In reply to your question, my guess would be that it does not require
any
> > special care. Sounds as if it is pretty adaptable. Does anyone else on
SG
> > have any of these orchids?
I have Epipactis helloborine volunteering everywhere, but there's a reason
for it being so prolific in my area. During the construction of the Erie
Canal, draft horses were imported from England to haul the massive loads of
dirt that were removed to construct the canal. During their voyage over on
ships, the horses were fed hay. Records were kept on the purchase of both
the horses and hay, including their respective places of orgin. A
researcher visited the area where the hay was harvested, and Epipactis
helleborine grows there in abundance. Even assuming that all of the hay was
consumed by the horses on the voyage over, it's safe to assume that the
horses and their bedding were covered in the dust like orchid seed. I'm
about an hour south of Rochester, NY, which is, of course, on the path of
the Erie Canal.
When I run across the article I obtained this information from, I'll post it
to the list for verification. I'm too busy at the moment to track it down.
Also, Spiranthes grows in abundance here and is native. I was horrified the
first time that I realized that I had been mowing the stuff down, assuming
that it was some odd clover. Now, I leave the larger colonies unmowed so
they can self seed. Spiranthes grows in wet, dry, boggy, rocky, or
you-name-it conditions.
Keith, WNY, zone 5
