Pink Lady Slipper Cypripedium acaule
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sip-rih-PEE-dee-um a-KAW-lee
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Pink lady slipper ia a native plant in the Orchidaceae (orchid) family that needs very acidic soils and prefers at least partial shade and well-drained slopes. It is usually found in pine forests, where it can be seen in large colonies. In NC it can be found in the mountains. They are difficult to transplant and grow and are best left to their native habitat which is dry to mesic, acidic forests and woodlands, often under pines, other conifers, and/or oak trees.
The seeds require the presence of a specific Rhizoctonia fungus to germinate and grow. As the plant matures the relationship becomes symbiotic with the fungus. There at 2 basal leaves with prominent parallel venation from which a single stalk emerges with a single large usually pink orchid type flower that has a slit to attract bees inside for pollination. The bees get no benefit from the plant and they learn to avoid them resulting in low pollination rates.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cypripedium
- Species:
- acaule
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In the past, the root was used as a remedy for nervousness, tooth pain, and muscle spasms.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , SK
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees for pollenation
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an ascending capsule that ripens to brown and contains thousands of tiny seeds. Fruit displays in August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Pink
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Hollow, 2 in. pink pouch with heavy veining and a center groove; other sepals and petals are greenish-brown and lance-shaped. Flowers bloom from April to June
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Produces 2 opposite green basal leaves with conspicuous parallel veins that sheath the stem. They are 3½ to 9 inches long, 1 to 3½ inches wide
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green leafless bristly hairy stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
