Weedy Orchids in the Wilds of Pacifica
True to their nickname, Weedy Orchids are tough enough to survive harsh conditions. This invasive species is also known as the Broad-Leaved Helleborine or Epipactis helleborine. Last year, I did two blog posts, here and here, about Weedy Orchids thriving in a small forested area of our neighborhood. They’ve returned this year, their blooms flanking a short hiking trail. I also spotted a little plant bordering a sidewalk on a busy nearby street.
Weedy orchids are robust enough to grow among other invasive plants, while enduring strong coastal winds and surviving our multiyear drought. These plants rely mostly on fog for water. It condenses and drips from the pine trees above them. And while our little San Francisco suburb has lots of green spaces, it doesn’t really have “wilds.” That’s fine for these orchids, which seem to like areas that are frequently disturbed by humans and other animals. The final row of photos below shows that small plant adjacent to a sidewalk. I’m guessing that most people walk by it without recognizing it as an orchid. It would probably surprise them to learn that it’s an orchid growing wild.
Explore posts in the same categories: Cool Growers, Orchids in the Wild, Photos
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