Other common names:
Queen Lady's Slipper Other scientific names: Cypripedium album, Cypripedium spectabile French names:
Cypripède royal Family: Orchid Family (Orchidaceae) Group: Orchids, Lady's Slippers Similar species: • Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) - flower pink, with a dent up the middle front. Flowers: Summer; White, Red/Pink; Irregular flowers Height:
20-45 cm (8-18 in) Habitat: Wet Areas Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 38 Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 14, 212 ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 89 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Uncommon.
Notes:
When you find this orchid, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it - it will not survive. This orchid is disappearing in the wild partly due to misguided attempts to transplant it, also due to habitat loss and intrusion by people who want to view these beautiful flowers.
Photographs:
740 photographs available, of which 14 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
The spectacular flower of the Showy Lady's Slipper orchid.
Sometimes there are two flowers on one plant.
Occasionally the flowers are white or almost white. This particular has a spider hiding under the upper lip (just out of view). It has caught a small butterfly who unwittingly visited the flower.
Another pair of white flowers.
A wilting flower.
Seed capsule in mid-August.
Flower bud, just starting to open.
Last year's seed capsule. Showy Lady's Slipper, like other Lady's Slippers orchids, don't come up every year.
