2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013

Questions and Answers: 2022

Question: I just found a blooming epipactis, helleborine orchid. I can’t decide whether to keep or remove. Can you please identify …

• Question

  I just found a blooming epipactis, helleborine orchid. I can’t decide whether to keep or remove. Can you please identify pros and cons? I’m in East Wareham Massachusetts, zone 6. I am very close to Cape Cod Canal. Maybe 4 miles as the crow flies. Thank you.

  Answer

  Dear holsterjoyce, good morning. Epipactis helleborine is a non-native species as you know. However, let us not direct any hatred toward this plant as it did not come to North America with an agenda, but found itself introduced here and is trying to live (no different than many species of plants and animals that are being moved around the world by a global travel network). It is not an invasive species and its removal will make little difference overall in this species abundance and distribution. It really comes down to your values and intentions. I'm sorry I'm not providing a concrete answer because I don't believe there is on. Best wishes.