Showy Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium reginae Walter)

Family: Orchidaceae (or-kid-da-see-ee) From the Greek orchis meaning testicle. This is in reference to the paired rounded tubers of the orchid family. For this reason, orchis has been regarded from antiquity as an aphrodisiac.

Genus: Cypripedium (sip-rih-PEE-dee-um) From the Greek Kypris or Latin Cypria which means Venus / Aphrodite who was worshipped as a God. Also from pĕdilon (sandal, slipper) which was Latinized as pedium by Linnaeus in reference to the shape of the flower.

Species: reginae (ree-JIN-ay-ee) This means of Queens or of the Queen.

Showy Lady’s Slipper Orchid

Other names include showy lady's-slipper, showy lady’s queen slipper and queen lady's-slipper. This native Canadian orchid surpasses in elegance many tropical orchids.

IMPORTANT— In some areas of North America, the showy lady’s slipper is endangered: When you find this orchid in Altona forest or elsewhere, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it - it will not survive.

In Altona Forest, one of the trails was relocated 13 m to avoid a showy lady’s slipper patch. If you spot it, please do not disturb it in any way and do not pick or attempt to transplant it.

Future location of photo.

Showy Lady Slipper Orchid

The showy lady’s slipper grows up to 1 m high.

The leaves, which have parallel veins and are arranged in pairs number 3 to 6, ovate-lanceolate, plicate, 10-25 cm long and 4-16 cm wide and are densely pubescent. The hairs found on the stem and leaves discourage insect predators and can produce a skin rash in some persons similar to poison ivy. Unfortunately, this has not discouraged some people from killing this plant by trying to transplanting it. Fortunately, there has been a tremendous amount of success recently cultivating this species in captivity and so those who wish to have it in their gardens can obtain it from nurseries.

Future location of photo.

Showy Lady Slipper Orchid

The pouch-shaped, inflated, pink or fuchsia on a white flowers often have white veins. They are 6 to 10 cm long and appear in pairs in June and early July. This species normally bloom after their 5th or 6th year of growth.

Unfortunately, its beautiful blossom results in too many people attempting to transplant it to their gardens. This has reduced the number of flowers available for hikers to enjoy in Altona Forest and other areas of Canada.

Future location of photo.

Showy Lady Slipper Orchid

The showy lady’s slipper is pollinated by bees. Recently it has been reported that small skipper butterflies can get trapped in the labellum (large lip) and block the entrance from bees. This prevents pollination and it is feared that eventually might reduce the number of these plants because of reduced reproduction. Further study is needed.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium parviflorum and Cypripedium pubescens,

C. calceolus (L.) ssp. parviflorum[B,P] C. calceolus var. parviflorum[B,P] and C. calceolus, var. parviflorum[Sc])

Family: Orchidaceae (or-kid-da-see-ee) From the Greek orchis meaning testicle. This is in reference to the paired rounded tubers of the orchid family. For this reason, orchis has been regarded from antiquity as an aphrodisiac.

Genus: Cypripedium (sip-rih-PEE-dee-um) From the Greek Kypris or Latin Cypria which means Venus / Aphrodite who was worshipped as a God. Also from pĕdilon (sandal, slipper) which was Latinized as pedium by Linnaeus in reference to the shape of the flower.

Species: calceolus (kal-KEE-oh-lus) From calceus which means a small shoe. Alternative Pronunciation: kal-see-OH-lus

IMPORTANT: When you find this orchid, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it ---- - it will not survive.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

As the number of scientific names shown on the previous slide indicate, the classification of our native yellow lady's-slipper is the subject of some debate in the botanical world.

Historically, it was included with the European yellow lady's-slippers with the scientific name Cypripedium calceolus. Recently the trend is to separate our species but the debate continues about the name. Some botanists recognize two species in Canada -- Cypripedium parviflorum and Cypripedium pubescens.

IMPORTANT: When you find this orchid, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it ---- - it will not survive.

Yellow Orchid

Yellow lady’s slipper is a native plant in the orchid family. Other names include the lady's slipper orchid, American valerian, small yellow lady’s slipper, lesser yellow lady's-slipper, lesser yellow lady's-slipper and salis.

In general, orchids are shallow-rooting plants which have a symbiotic relationship with a fungus in nutrient low soil. If transplanted the soil must be the same type and have suitable fungus available. Common garden fertilizers or fungicides will kill the orchid.

The yellow lady’s slipper orchid is a perennial which grows up to 60 cm high. It is rare in Altona Forest but can be seen when in bloom during May and early June. It is located, in semi-shade or full sun, in areas which remain most for longer in the spring. One of the trails passes by a location where this orchid grows. Luckily, its leaves are easily camouflaged in the grasses in that area and by the time it flowers, the grass is so high that only the most observant hiker spots it. If you do see it, do not pick or dig it up – it will not survive. Left alone, it will live for a long time and allow many others to enjoy it.

It does grow near one of the boardwalks. Please leave it alone if you see it.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

The yellow lady’s slipper orchid is smaller than the showy lady’s slipper and the pouched lip is yellow.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

The yellow lady’s slipper orchid has 3 to 5 leaves which are ovate, plicate, 6-15 cm long and 3-8 cm wide and are pubescent.

Yellow Orchid

The bright yellow, pouch shaped, scented flowers are the most distinctive characteristic of this plant. There are one or sometimes two per plant. The flowers have a yellow lip petal, 3 to 6 cm long, have a faint rose-like perfume, are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

The root has a pungent bitter-sweet taste with an unpleasant odour. It is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and hypnotic and should not be dug up. Historically it was used to treat anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, depression and tension headaches. Many suitable substitutes for the same medicinal uses are available, so there is no need to harvest this orchid.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

Orchids reproduce by seed. Since its seed growth is so unique, it is related here even though it is not used for identification. The seeds must fall on moist soil. The seed has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. Unlike most seeds of other plants, it contains very little food and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a fungus. The fungal hyphae enter the cells of the embryo where the orchid uses it as a food supply until it develops sufficiently to take nutrients from the soil.

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