Epipactis helleborine, commonly known as Broad-leaved Helleborine, is a terrestrial orchid native to a variety of habitats including deciduous woodlands, forest edges, and shaded hedgerows across Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a perennial herb that can grow up to 3 feet tall, with distinctive ribbed green leaves and drooping racemes of small, intricate flowers that are green with purplish-red markings, typically blooming in the summer months. The flowers, while not as showy as some other orchids, have a subtle beauty and are attractive to a range of pollinators.

Broad-leaved Helleborine is valued for its adaptability to shade and its resilience in a variety of soil conditions, making it a potential candidate for woodland gardens and shaded borders. However, it requires consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drought well. It is also known for its potential medicinal uses, although it is not commonly used in modern herbalism. Gardeners should be cautious, as Epipactis helleborine has been known to become invasive outside its native range, particularly in North America, where it can outcompete native flora. It is important to monitor its spread to prevent it from becoming a problem in non-native ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0