Mystery growing in ivy under beech trees

[ArnoldT]

Found this growing in ivy bed under large European Beech trees.

Flowering now.
Thanks,

[Jim McKenney]

Try Epipactis helleborine or a similar species.

[ArnoldT]

Jim:

Looks like that's it.  A "weed" orchid.

[pseudobulb]

looks like epipactis helleborine  wich has become naturalised in parts of the usa

[Maggi Young]

I am beside myself with envy - in spite of several attempts I cannot get any Epipactis established in my garden.     I know there are gardens in the Glasgow area where they do occur naturally as "weeds" - let alone this reputation they have as being so easy in many other places. 

Your wild finding in a big fat gorgeous creature, Arnold - it must have been very exciting to come across such a fine specimen.

 #sigh#   

[ArnoldT]

Maggi:

It decided to grow in 100 year old ivy under some large Fagus sylvatica trees.

It was quire a surprise for me to come across.

I was actually dispatching some poison ivy when I discovered it.

I can post some seeds if there are any.

Thanks for the very thoughtful card.

[Maggi Young]

We have had success here with Dactylorhiza seeding around so I am certainly game to try some seed of the Epipactis if that's possible, Arnold, thank you. 

[Lesley Cox]

Isn't it just wonderful when actual orchids decide to appear in odd places in one's garden. Dactylorhizas do it here too Maggi, even in the grass and in cracks in the concrete paths.

[Maggi Young]

We've had Dactylorhiza appear in the cracks between paving slabs and the edging to the pond surround- from where it is impossible to extract them.  When I have complaints like that about Epipactis, I'll be content!

[Anthony Darby]

I spike similar to Arnold's turned up in a grassy area in a garden round the corner from me in Dunblane a few years ago. The owner chose that exact spot to dump some soil when he started (but never finished) redeveloping the garden. 

[johnralphcarpenter]

My mother-in-law complains about Epipactis helleborine popping up everywhere in her Ontario garden - definitely a weed as far as she is concerned!

[Lesley Cox]

Truly a case of "One man's meat is another man's poison." 

[Maggi Young]

Very true, Lesley!

I can't get over how chunky a flowers stem the one in Arnold's picture has.  Quite a lovely "brute" !

[Lesley Cox]

They certinly are. I suppose they'd have to be, taking on the ivy.