Showy Lady'S Slipper

cypripedium reginae

The Showy Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium reginae, is an exquisite and iconic North American orchid, celebrated for its striking beauty and unique flower structure. It stands as a symbol of pristine wetlands and healthy forest ecosystems. This perennial herbaceous plant captivates observers with its vibrant pink and white blooms, making it one of the most recognized and admired native orchids. Its survival is intricately linked to specific habitat conditions and a delicate relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, highlighting the complex interdependencies within natural environments.

Habitat: Found in cool, moist, calcareous environments such as fens, swamps, wet meadows, and rich, deciduous woodlands, often growing in dappled sunlight or partial shade.

Appearance

This elegant orchid features large, distinctive flowers, typically one to two, but sometimes up to four, atop a tall, leafy stem that can reach heights of 30 to 90 cm. The most prominent feature is the inflated, pouch-like lower petal, known as the labellum, which is brilliant magenta-pink, often streaked with darker veins. This "slipper" is bordered by two white, twisted lateral petals and a white dorsal sepal, creating a captivating contrast. The broad, pleated leaves are bright green and arranged alternately along the stem, covered in fine hairs.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusCypripedium

Showy Lady'S Slipper

Interesting facts

It is the official state flower of Minnesota.

It's illegal to pick or transplant wild Showy Lady's Slippers in many regions due to their protected status and low success rate of transplantation.

The fine hairs covering the plant can cause skin irritation similar to poison ivy for some individuals.

Unlike most orchids, its seeds lack an endosperm, meaning they have no internal food supply and rely entirely on fungi to provide nutrients for germination.

Special abilities

The slipper-shaped labellum acts as a trap for specific bees. Once inside, the bee must navigate a path that forces it to rub against the stigma to deposit any pollen, and and then past the anthers to pick up new pollen before escaping, ensuring cross-pollination.

Its seeds are extremely tiny and lack endosperm. For germination and early development, they depend entirely on a symbiotic relationship with specific soil fungi (mycorrhizae) that provide essential nutrients.

Individual plants can live for many decades, even over 50 years, forming large colonies from underground rhizomes, making them a persistent presence in suitable habitats.

Measurements & details

Length: 30-90 cm
Weight: 0.05-0.3 kg
Lifespan: 20-50 years
Clutch Size: 50000-200000

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, the Showy Lady's Slipper produces its own food through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars. It absorbs essential minerals and water from the soil through its root system, often aided by mycorrhizal fungi.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium

Foraging Method

Absorption

Ecological connections

mutualism

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Various fungal species

Essential for seed germination and early growth by providing nutrients.

mutualism

Solitary Bees

Andrena spp.

Primary pollinators; they are briefly trapped in the labellum, facilitating pollen transfer.

herbivore

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Can graze on leaves or flowers, but plants are generally not a primary food source due to irritating hairs.

competitor

Cinnamon Fern

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Shares habitat and competes for resources like light and nutrients.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Showy Lady'S Slipper?

The easiest way to identify Showy Lady'S Slipper is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Showy Lady'S Slipper?

30-90 cm

How much does Showy Lady'S Slipper weigh?

0.05-0.3 kg

How long does Showy Lady'S Slipper live?

20-50 years

What does Showy Lady'S Slipper eat?

Where is Showy Lady'S Slipper usually found?

Found in cool, moist, calcareous environments such as fens, swamps, wet meadows, and rich, deciduous woodlands, often growing in dappled sunlight or partial shade.

How does Showy Lady'S Slipper hunt?

Absorption

How many eggs does Showy Lady'S Slipper lay?

50000-200000