E. helleborine is definitely wide spread, and while it may be technically invasive, I cannot see how it would pose much of a problem here in the Northeast. I see it everywhere in Cutchogue , LI, and I have even seen it growing within 2 blocks of my house here in Queens. However, there is a big difference between the behavior I have seen with helleborine and the behavior of most invasive species: it does not crowd out other species. Wherever it is found, it is growing with other species of plants, and is evenly distributed among them. Of greater importance: It never seems to grow in the same exact location for more than 2 seasons. It appears in one place...the next year it will be 10 feet further, but not a trace of it remains in the previous location. In that sense, I can't see it as being truly "invasive". But please understand: this is based only on my observations in Eastern Long Island and NYC. It may very well behave differently in other regions...and I can see how it may create serious problems in the Pacific northwest, where it could conceivably interbreed with gigantea or palustris.....Take care, Eric Muehlbauer in wet and coold Queens NY...where despite 2 heat waves, the paphs have never done better......loads in bud....
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