Scotty Smith's Orchids of Colorado. - Southwest Colorado Wildflowers

Epipactis gigantea Doug. ex Hook.Epipactis gigantea, (ep-i-pak‟-tis)+(gjy-gan‟-tee-ah) - from the Latin word for gigantic, in reference tothe large size of the flower and plant. Epipactis is apparently derived from a classical Greek nameused by Theophrastus for a plant used to curdle milk.Common names: Stream orchid, chatterbox orchid.Flowering: from early June thru the middle to late July.Description: Tall orchid up to 1 foot tall with up to 6 or 7 green, alternating, heavily veined longleaves.Habitat: This orchid is usually found in very wet areas near to mineral hot springs, and river orcreek banks. This orchid likes to grow in very hot exposed areas of Colorado especially in the hotsprings and seeps of Western and Southern Colorado; found growing around 5,000-8,000 feet inelevation.There are three species of Epipactis found growing in North America, but in Colorado only Epipactisgigantea is found to be growing naturally. It is found growing in the northern and southern ends ofthe San Louis valley. Also found growing in the hot canyon lands of western Colorado. Big clues tofinding his one are finding seeps and hot springs.147