Ontario Wildflowers website

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium arietinum

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum) Other scientific names: Criosanthes arietina

French names: Cypripède tête-de-bélier

Family: Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)

Group: Orchids, Lady's Slippers

Flowers: Spring;  Red/Pink;  Irregular flowers

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Entire

Height: 10-20 cm (4-8 in);  Very small.

Habitat: Wet Areas

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 38    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 212   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photographs: 797 photographs available, of which 7 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum) flower

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper flower.

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)
Photograph by Stephen Lechniak

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper has very unique flowers.

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)
Photograph by Stephen Lechniak

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)
Photograph by Stephen Lechniak

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)

A non-flowering plant in late May.

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)

These are really very small plants!

Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)

This photo shows a Ram's Head Lady's Slipper amidst other vegetation, again showing just how small these are, and therefore easily overlooked!


Range map for Ram's Head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum)

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)