Flora of East-Central Indiana

Yellow Lady Slipper
Scientific Name Cypripedium calceolus  L.
Family Name Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

 

Characteristics
Habitat: bogs, swamps and rich woods
Plant Height: 30-70 cm, erect stem
Flower Color: yellow
Flower: lip petal about 5 cm long; upper petals 2, spirally twisted; sepals, 1 above lip, 2 united below lip; subtended by leafy bract; ovary inferior; 1 style; stamens 2; staminodes 1
Inflorescence: solitary flower
Fruit: many seeded capsule 
Leaves: alternate; entire; sesile; reaching 20 cm in length; reaching 10 cm wide
Bloom Time: May-July
Origins: native
Other: Native Americans used roots for medicinal purposes; being almost wiped out by collectors, it is now too rare to be used medically; the classification of native C. calceolus  has not been settled, depending on what sources are used there are several recognized varieties or varieties are separated into species, the Flora of North America lists 2  North American species, C. parviflorum  and C. pubescens  
cypridpedium_calceolus_habitat.jpg (25632 bytes) cypridpedium_calceolus_habit.JPG (63415 bytes)

cypridpedium_calceolus_singfl.jpg (37552 bytes)
general plant habit form close up of flower leaves

Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ●  ECI Flora Home

information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu