Species Orchid, Stemless Lady's Slipper, Moccasin Flower, Short Inflorescence Cypripedium

A beautiful terrestrial orchid native to the eastern part of the US. These grow in shady pine forests in small clumps and can be seen fl...Read Moreowering in May and June.

It is tempting to pick these orchids in the wild, but natural pollination rates are very low (10% according to the Massachusetts Wild Flower Society website) and the plant can be slow to propagate, so plants should be left undisturbed.

It is extremely difficult to transplant these orchids successfully, as their root systems are very fragile and they require the presence of mycorrhiza fungus in the soil to help with the absorption of nutrients. Early success with transplanting is no indication of the plants long-term survival, and plants usually die within 4 to 5 years after being transplanted. This doesn't sound too bad in and of itself, but individual plants can live for 100 years in the wild. It is better to leave them alone, and they look better in their natural environment anyway.

These Lady Slippers are very common in Massachusetts, and it isn't unusual to see hundreds of them while walking in a shady wild pine forest. Though it is perfectly legal to pick them in neighboring New Hampshire, there are laws in Massachusetts that protect all native orchid species. This plant does not, however, appear on the list of species that are protected or "of interest" in the state. I was recently walking in a nature reserve in my town that gets quite a bit of foot traffic, and there were many stands of unmolested Lady Slippers right next to the trail, indicating to me that most people were aware of and respected the special status and beauty of this plant in its natural habitat.

I grow it with my pitcher plants (Sarracenia) and it seems to love the wet peaty soil. It has spread each year.

I have been blessed with these beautys growing native on my small lot. I have set aside the area they like as a "no garden zone". 2004 ...Read Morecount 40 plants 6 blooms

I live in upstate Ny and recently noted some new additions to my garden. I did not know what they were and so took some photos to ask oth...Read Moreer gardeners. Someone finally told me that it was called "Lady Slipper" and that is how I searched and found this page. "MY" Lady Slippers just appeared and are beautful. THere are 2 pairs in my garden. After hearing how endangered they are and how difficult to grow, I feel very blessed! I will upload photos soon.

This is the very RARE form of the pink lady's-slipper. I found this plant growing among a patch of typical pink ones growing in Pippy Pa...Read Morerk, St. John's, Newfoundland. Cultivation is very difficult for pink lady's-slippers and the white form should be left where they are for others to enjoy.

It's a stunningly beautiful native plant in New England.
However, I've lost some due to a black leaf condition, mold or mildew, an...Read Mored have received mixed opinions on how to deal with it.

This plant prefers dry, acidic woods, typically on slopes or steep hillsides, and in sphagnum bogs.

Showy bloom but often hidden in the woodland shade. Please do not dig from the wild. Mine was nursery propagated and does well in my shade garden.

Has a reputation for being difficult to grow; however one site suggests using only soft water (add a couple tablespoons of vinegar) when ...Read Morewatering, and do not fertilize. A beautiful and endangered native plant.