About Epipactis gigantea Douglas
Epipactis gigantea Douglas is an erect perennial orchid that grows between 30 centimeters and one meter tall. Its stems bear prominently veined lance-shaped leaves, which can be wide or narrow, and measure 5 to 15 centimeters long. Near the top of the stem, its inflorescence holds two or three showy flowers. Each flower has three straight sepals, 1 to 2 centimeters long, that are light brownish or greenish with darker veining. The two upper petals are similar in shape to the sepals, and are reddish-brown with purple veins. The lowest petal is cup-shaped with a pointed, tongue-like protuberance; it is a brighter red-brown with more distinct veining, and often has yellow patches. The fruit is a hanging capsule 2 to 3 centimeters long that holds thousands of tiny seeds. This species grows in wet locations across a range of habitats, including riverbanks, hot springs, and meadows, at elevations below 2,600 feet. Unlike many of its related species, Epipactis gigantea is an autotroph. A distinctive race with burgundy foliage grows on serpentine rock at The Cedars in Sonoma County, California, and is classified as forma rubrifolia (P M Brown). Epipactis gigantea is cultivated in the specialty horticulture trade, and sold as a propagated ornamental plant that is not harvested from the wild. The maroon-leaved forma rubrifolia is also grown in cultivation as the cultivar 'Serpentine Night'.
