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mountain lady's-slipper

Cypripedium montanum

The mountain lady's-slipper is a beautiful flower that looks like a lady's shoe! It grows in the wild and has soft, pink petals. This flower is special because it only blooms in certain places, making it a treasure to find.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The mountain lady's-slipper has a distinctive, slipper-shaped pouch that is usually creamy white, sometimes tinged with pink or purple. Its two long, twisted lateral petals and sepals are typically slender and can range from greenish-yellow to maroon, adding to its unique forest charm.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusCypripedium
mountain lady's-slipper
flowering trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badgemountain trait badgeforest trait badge
mountain lady's-slipper

Category

Plants

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

3

Interesting facts

It can take over 10 years for a mountain lady's-slipper plant to produce its first flower!

Its unique flower shape helps tiny bees enter but makes exiting a fun challenge!

Many people call these flowers "fairy slippers" because of their delicate, magical look.

Some parts of this orchid have been used in traditional medicine for calm and sleep.

Special abilities

Ability

Insect Snare

The mountain lady's-slipper can trap insects inside its slipper-shaped pouch, guiding them past pollen to ensure successful pollination.

Ability

Fungal Friendship

Mountain lady's-slipper seeds depend on special fungi to germinate and grow, forming an essential underground partnership.

Ability

Slow & Steady Life

This plant has an amazing ability to live for many decades, growing slowly in its cool forest home.

Measurements & details

Height
20-70 cm
Spread
15-30 cm
Flower Size
2-4 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to mid-summer (May-July)
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Two-form Bumblebee

Bombus bifarius

Visits flowers, collecting pollen while helping pollination.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Deer browse on young plants and leaves, especially in meadows.

symbiotic with

Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungus

Tulasnella calospora

Crucial for seed germination and nutrient uptake by orchid roots.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick the flowers; they need to stay in nature to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify mountain lady's-slipper?

The easiest way to identify mountain lady's-slipper is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is mountain lady's-slipper?

20-70 cm

How wide does mountain lady's-slipper spread?

15-30 cm

How big are the flowers on mountain lady's-slipper?

2-4 cm

When does mountain lady's-slipper bloom?

Late spring to mid-summer (May-July)

Is mountain lady's-slipper edible?

No

Is mountain lady's-slipper toxic?

None

What is mountain lady's-slipper's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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