The distinctive footwear shape makes Lady’s Slipper probably the showiest of the orchid family. But that is not the only rare thing about this flower. In this guide, we touch upon interesting aspects of this remarkable flower.
Shoes of Vinus
This plant goes by the botanical name Cypripedium Calceolus, which means Shoes of Venus. As the legend goes, a shepherdess was tasked with finding Venus’s slipper in the woods. She did find them but, when she tried to pick them, they transformed into the flower.
See also: All about Bauhinia acuminata (white orchid tree)
The native place
The slipper-shaped flower is also called Lady’s Slipper or Slipper Orchid. Lady’s slippers are found throughout Eurasia and the Americas. It has, however, gone extinct in Belgium. It is also one of the rarest flowers in the world. It has been listed as a species of ‘special concern’ in the Native Plant Protection Act of Maine.
Terrestrial as well as epiphytic
Lady’s Slippers are terrestrial, i.e., they grow on earth. However, some varieties grow on the surface of other plants or rocks, making them epiphytic.
Lady’s Slipper: Facts
| Botanical name: Cypripedium
Common names: Lady’s Slipper, Lady Slipper, Slipper Orchid, Moccasin Flower, Camel’s Foot, Squirrel Foot, Steeple Cap, Venus’ shoes, Whippoorwill Shoe Family: Orchidaceae Plant type: Terrestrial orchids Native: Europe, North Japan, Algeria Sun: Partial Water: Moderate Soil: Clay, loamy, sandy Toxicity: None |
Species and hybrids
The hardy flowering plant has 58 recognised species and naturally occurring hybrids.
Prince Edward Island’s floral emblem
Cypripedium Acaule or the Pink Lady’s Slipper was adopted as the floral emblem by the Canadian province, Prince Edward Island, in 1947.
Lady’s Slipper: The natural protector
Among tribes, this plant is used to ward off the evil eye.
In some places, it may be illegal to pick them
Since the flower is on the verge of extinction in many places, it is illegal to pick or dig these orchids in those regions.
They may take eight years to grow
When grown from seed, the plant can take 6-8 years to reach flowering size.
The role of mycorrhizal fungi
As is true of most orchids, the Lady’s Slipper plant requires mycorrhizal fungi for germination and seedling nutrition.
Easiest to grow varieties
Cypripedium Kentuckiense and Cypripedium Parviflorum var. pubescents are among the easiest to grow.
Lady’s Slipper Flower easy-to-grow varieties Number 1
Lady’s Slipper Flower easy-to-grow varieties Number 2
White Slipper flower
Pink Slipper flower
White Slipper Flower
Yellow Lady’s Slipper Flower
