Small Yellow Lady's Slipper Cypripedium parviflorum var makasin
Other common names:
Lesser Yellow Lady's Slipper, Smaller Yellow Lady's Slipper Family: Orchid Family (Orchidaceae) Group: Orchids, Lady's Slippers Distinctive features:
Lady's Slipper flower form, bright yellow. Similar species: • Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens) - Larger; greenish petals behind the "slipper". • Small White Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium candidum) - White flowers; also has greenish petals. • Hybrid Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum X C. candidum) - White flowers; purplish petals. Flowers: Spring; Yellow; Irregular flowers; Bright yellow, pouch shape. Petals (behind the "slipper") are reddish (Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens) has green petals). Late spring - early summer. Height:
15-40 cm (6-16 in) Habitat: Fields and Open Areas, Wet Areas; Moist woods, bogs. Grows in Sun/Shade:
Sun Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 38 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Uncommon, but common compared to other Lady's Slipper orchids. But in some places it is extremely common.
Notes:
There are two varieties of this orchid: Small Yellow Lady's Slipper and Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens). When you find this orchid, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it - it will likely not survive.
Photographs:
110 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
Small Yellow Lady's Slipper. The petals (those twisted "rays" behind the main flower) are reddish or blackish. This variety grows in boggy areas.
Small Yellow Lady's Slipper plants.
Closeup of a Small Yellow Lady's Slipper flower.
A view of the whole plant.
View from the rear.
Flower bud.
Seed capsule from the previous year. This photo was taken in January. (I don't know which variety of Yellow Lady's Slipper this is, but they both look the same at that time of year!).
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
