Broad - Leaved Helleborine

Broad Leaved Helleborine is an orchid that is not native to North America and is actually known to be invasive. Some articles even refer to this orchid as a weed. It is so beautiful .... I cringe at it being called a weed. This is not a self - pollinating orchid, it depends on insects for pollination. In nature some plants produce a scent or chemical to warn insects that depend on the flower for its nectar and or pollen that the plant is being attacked or eaten by other insects. Those insects that depend on the flower as a food source come to protect it. This orchid does the same thing but it is not being attacked. The chemical scent causes wasps to come to its rescue, and then as they investigate the supposed crime scene they pick up pollen, and moving about the other flowers they achieve the goal of pollination. Another ploy this flower may use is the fact that the nectar of  this orchid is a little, or a lot like alcohol and intoxicates those who partake of its nectar.

Where I found it : A friend found quite a few growing against her foundation.