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Epipactis gigantea

Dougl. ex Hook.

Giant Helleborine

G4Apparently Secure Found in 180 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Very high - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.152197
Element CodePMORC11010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderOrchidales
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusEpipactis
Other Common Names
Épipactis géant (FR) stream orchid (EN) Stream Orchid (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
The only native member of its genus in United States and Canada (Brunton 1986).There is a variant of Epipactis gigantea native to California that has wine-red leaves.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-06-30
Change Date2006-12-01
Edition Date2009-04-15
Edition AuthorsJ. Ladyman, rev. K. Maybury; rev. Lyon, P. and J. Handwerk
Threat ImpactVery high - medium
Range Extent200,000 to >2,500,000 square km (about 80,000 to >1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
The range of the Epipactis gigantea is very wide although it is generally not common within that range (except perhaps in California). It can be relatively abundant locally, but some these dense local patches may represent single genetic individuals. The species has an absolute habitat requirement for surface water, which is a threatened habitat in many parts of its range, and it can occur infrequently despite the availability of seemingly suitable habitat. Despite these concerns, on a rangewide basis it is thought to be "apparently secure" (G4) given the large number of existing populations---many without known threats---over its wide range.
Range Extent Comments
Epipactis gigantea grows from southern British Columbia in Canada to northern Mexico and eastwards in the United States to South Dakota and Texas. There has also been at least one collection made in central Mexico (San Luis Potosi).
Occurrences Comments
This is the most widely distributed orchids of California, with populations nearly throughout the state (Coleman 1988, Hickman 1993). Outside of California, this species appars to occur uncommonly but over a very wide geographic and habitat range. The total number of occurrences are certainly greater than 300.
Threat Impact Comments
The main threat is loss of suitable habitat that is caused by water development projects or any activity that lowers the water table or disturbs the habitat. Rocchio et al. (2006) estimates the primary threats as being (in order of importance): recreation, exotic species, water development, livestock grazing, urban development, timber harvest, and utility line maintenance.

In Idaho and Wyoming populations have been extirpated or reduced in size due to impacts from the recreational use of hot springs. In New Mexico populations have also been extirpated due to water developments. Livestock grazing has detrimentally impacted some populations. In the Rocky Mountain states Rocchio et al. (2006) noted that 7 of the 41 populations known there were definitively UNthreatened. From this, we speculate that a high percentage of populations face at least some of these (possibly interacting) threats (scope=High). The overall degree of immediacy of the various threats to populations rangewide is unknown.

Site scale conservation efforts are likely to be effective in mitigating threats in most cases except where large-scale impacts such as groundwater withdrawl is occurring (Rocchio et al. 2006).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Giant Helleborine is a large perennial herb with leafy stems that are 30-100 cm tall and which arise from short rhizomes. The leaves are without petioles and up to 20 cm long; the lower are ovate, while the upper are lance-shaped. The herbage is rough to the touch or smooth and glabrous. The numerous flowers are borne singly in a long, narrow, leafy-bracted inflorescence located at the tops of the stems. The lance-shaped sepals are green with brownish stripes and approximately 15 mm long. The upper two petals are shorter and broader than the sepals. The lower petal is sac-like and longer and more reddish than the sepals. The nodding capsule is elliptic and bears many thousands of tiny seeds.

Diagnostic Characteristics

The tall stems with reddish flowers in the leaf axils make this species one of our most distinctive orchids. It is not easily confused with any other species.

From CNHP Wetland Guide 2012: Main Characteristics:
·Three upper sepals are greenish-yellow, with the two upper petals are tipped in pink, larger lower lip's veins a striking coppery red with lowest part of lip a contrasting gold
·Rhizomatous orchid that can form extensive stands

Habitat

A wide variety of habitats, but all have a constant source of water for the roots (Coleman, 1988).

Ecology

Epipactis gigantea must have a permanent and constant source of water at the roots. It is easy to cultivate as long as a wet habitat can be provided (Cronquist et al, 1977). In the northern part of its range, it prefers hot springs. One of the known pollinators is the Syrphid fly (Coleman, 1995). E. gigantea seeds are probably dispersed by wind, and possibly by water (Dressler 1981). Seeds of E. gigantea probably require the presence of a mycorrhizal symbiont for germination (Prendergast 1994) In addition to seeds, this species reproduces asexually by underground rhizome, and can sever the connection between the daughter ramet and the parental plant within one season (Thornhill, 1996).
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS4Yes
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
OklahomaS2Yes
WashingtonS3Yes
IdahoS3Yes
ArizonaS3Yes
UtahS3Yes
OregonSNRYes
WyomingS1Yes
New MexicoS2Yes
ColoradoS2Yes
South DakotaS1Yes
MontanaS2Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
TexasS3Yes
NevadaS3Yes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (180)
Arizona (8)
AreaForestAcres
Ash CreekPrescott National Forest7,663
Black CanyonPrescott National Forest10,683
Cimarron HillsCoconino National Forest5,303
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
HackberryCoconino National Forest17,885
Horse MesaTonto National Forest9,146
Walker MountainCoconino National Forest6,382
WhetstoneCoronado National Forest20,728
California (109)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest4,703
Barker ValleyCleveland National Forest11,940
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest913
Bell QuinbyShasta-Trinity National Forest11,556
Big Butte ShinboneSix Rivers National Forest1,102
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Black CanyonInyo National Forest32,421
Black MountainLos Padres National Forest16,818
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
Boundary Peak (CA)Inyo National Forest210,884
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest3,915
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest6,783
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Cucamonga BSan Bernardino National Forest11,933
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
DomeStanislaus National Forest11,085
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
EagleShasta-Trinity National Forest6,553
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest29,886
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Garcia MountainLos Padres National Forest7,850
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
Keddie RidgeLassen National Forest3,864
KellySix Rivers National Forest5,195
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
La PanzaLos Padres National Forest4,954
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mill CreekLassen National Forest7,587
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
Monkey CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,017
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. EddyShasta-Trinity National Forest7,232
Mystic (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest836
Nevahbe RidgeInyo National Forest302
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
Oat Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,223
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest15,589
PacksaddleSix Rivers National Forest3,862
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
PantherShasta-Trinity National Forest12,016
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
PortugueseKlamath National Forest18,915
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
QuatalLos Padres National Forest7,253
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
Reister CanyonMendocino National Forest5,897
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
Salt GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest6,511
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
ScodiesSequoia National Forest725
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
Ship MountainSix Rivers National Forest11,936
Silver HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,423
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Siskiyou BSix Rivers National Forest18,871
Skeleton GladeMendocino National Forest9,237
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,299
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
Soldier CanyonInyo National Forest40,589
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
South SierraSequoia National Forest8,008
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
TrabucoCleveland National Forest23,341
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
UnderwoodSix Rivers National Forest6,591
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest37,516
WestforkAngeles National Forest4,407
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
White LedgeLos Padres National Forest18,632
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Idaho (3)
AreaForestAcres
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
Montana (6)
AreaForestAcres
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest104,184
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
QuiggLolo National Forest67,267
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Silver KingLolo National Forest12,816
Nevada (5)
AreaForestAcres
Butler Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest25,878
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
Lovell Summit SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,455
Moriah - Hendrys Ck.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,345
Mystic (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,644
New Mexico (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bull CanyonCarson National Forest11,512
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Frisco BoxGila National Forest38,979
GrapevineLincoln National Forest2,086
Last Chance CanyonLincoln National Forest8,934
Little Dog And Pup CanyonsLincoln National Forest25,412
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
Oregon (12)
AreaForestAcres
BuckhornWallowa-Whitman National Forest17,180
Cook RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,617
Cougar BluffUmpqua National Forest5,574
Drift CreekSiuslaw National Forest6,333
LastUmpqua National Forest7,666
Lord Flat Somers PointWallowa-Whitman National Forest67,738
Mountain SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,457
North KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests91,560
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests104,477
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Williams CreekUmpqua National Forest5,844
Utah (24)
AreaForestAcres
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418017Uinta National Forest19,631
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418040Uinta National Forest1,702
Boulger - Black CanyonManti-Lasal National Forest23,286
Box - Death HollowDixie National Forest3,175
Bullion - DelanoFishlake National Forest14,917
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
Dairy ForkManti-Lasal National Forest30,222
HogsbackWasatch-Cache National Forest7,936
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Long Neck Mesa / Steep Creek / Oak Creek - Steep Creek / OakDixie National Forest55,489
Lookout PeakFishlake National Forest9,195
Marysvale PeakFishlake National Forest22,624
Mcgath Lake - Auger HoleDixie National Forest8,334
Middle FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,296
New Home BenchDixie National Forest10,513
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
Table Cliffs - Henderson CanyonDixie National Forest19,581
Wayne WonderlandFishlake National Forest12,395
White PineWasatch-Cache National Forest1,942
Washington (5)
AreaForestAcres
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
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