Transcript Showy Lady`s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium reginae

Showy Lady’s Slipper Orchid
(Cypripedium reginae Walter)
Family: Orchidaceae (or-kid-da-see-ee) From the Greek orchis
meaning testicle. This is in reference to the paired rounded
tubers of the orchid family. For this reason, orchis has been
regarded from antiquity as an aphrodisiac.
Genus: Cypripedium (sip-rih-PEE-dee-um) From the Greek
Kypris or Latin Cypria which means Venus / Aphrodite who was
worshipped as a God. Also from pĕdilon (sandal, slipper) which
was Latinized as pedium by Linnaeus in reference to the shape
of the flower.
Species: reginae (ree-JIN-ay-ee) This means of Queens or of
the Queen.
Showy Lady’s Slipper Orchid
Future location of photo.
Other names include showy lady's-slipper, showy
lady’s queen slipper and queen lady's-slipper.
This native Canadian orchid surpasses in
elegance many tropical orchids.
IMPORTANT— In some areas of North America,
the showy lady’s slipper is endangered: When you
find this orchid in Altona forest or elsewhere, do
not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it - it will not
survive.
In Altona Forest, one of the trails was relocated
13 m to avoid a showy lady’s slipper patch. If you
spot it, please do not disturb it in any way and do
not pick or attempt to transplant it.
Showy Lady Slipper Orchid
The showy lady’s slipper grows up to 1 m high.
The leaves, which have parallel veins and are
arranged in pairs number 3 to 6, ovatelanceolate, plicate, 10-25 cm long and 4-16 cm
wide and are densely pubescent. The hairs
found on the stem and leaves discourage
insect predators and can produce a skin rash in
some persons similar to poison ivy.
Unfortunately, this has not discouraged some
people from killing this plant by trying to
transplanting it. Fortunately, there has been a
tremendous amount of success recently
cultivating this species in captivity and so
those who wish to have it in their gardens can
obtain it from nurseries.
Future location of
photo.
Showy Lady Slipper Orchid
Future location of
photo.
The pouch-shaped, inflated, pink or
fuchsia on a white flowers often have
white veins. They are 6 to 10 cm long
and appear in pairs in June and
early July. This species normally
bloom after their 5th or 6th year of
growth.
Unfortunately, its beautiful blossom results in too many people
attempting to transplant it to their gardens. This has reduced the
number of flowers available for hikers to enjoy in Altona Forest
and other areas of Canada.
Showy Lady Slipper
Orchid
The showy lady’s slipper is
pollinated by bees. Recently it
has been reported that small
skipper butterflies can get
trapped in the labellum (large
lip) and block the entrance
from bees. This prevents
pollination and it is feared that
eventually might reduce the
number of these plants
because of reduced
reproduction. Further study is
needed.
Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid
(Cypripedium parviflorum and Cypripedium pubescens,
C. calceolus (L.) ssp. parviflorum[B,P] C. calceolus var. parviflorum[B,P] and C.
calceolus, var. parviflorum[Sc])
Family: Orchidaceae (or-kid-da-see-ee) From the
Greek orchis meaning testicle. This is in reference to the
paired rounded tubers of the orchid family. For this reason,
orchis has been regarded from antiquity as an aphrodisiac.
Genus: Cypripedium (sip-rih-PEE-dee-um) From the
Greek Kypris or Latin Cypria which means Venus /
Aphrodite who was worshipped as a God. Also from
pĕdilon (sandal, slipper) which was Latinized as pedium by
Linnaeus in reference to the shape of the flower.
Species: calceolus (kal-KEE-oh-lus) From calceus which
means a small shoe. Alternative Pronunciation: kal-see-OH-lus
IMPORTANT: When you find this orchid, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it ---- it will not survive.
Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid
As the number of scientific names shown on the
previous slide indicate, the classification of our
native yellow lady's-slipper is the subject of some
debate in the botanical world.
Historically, it was included with the European
yellow lady's-slippers with the scientific name
Cypripedium calceolus. Recently the trend is to
separate our species but the debate continues
about the name. Some botanists recognize two
species in Canada -- Cypripedium parviflorum
and Cypripedium pubescens.
IMPORTANT: When you find this orchid, do
not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it ---- - it
will not survive.
Yellow Orchid
Yellow lady’s slipper is a native plant in the orchid family. Other names include the lady's
slipper orchid, American valerian, small yellow lady’s slipper, lesser yellow lady's-slipper,
lesser yellow lady's-slipper and salis.
In general, orchids are shallow-rooting plants which have a symbiotic relationship with a
fungus in nutrient low soil. If transplanted the soil must be the same type and have suitable
fungus available. Common garden fertilizers or fungicides will kill the orchid.
The yellow lady’s slipper orchid is a perennial which grows up to 60 cm high. It is rare in
Altona Forest but can be seen when in bloom during May and early June. It is located, in
semi-shade or full sun, in areas which remain most for longer in the spring. One of the trails
passes by a location where this orchid grows. Luckily, its leaves are easily camouflaged in
the grasses in that area and by the time it flowers, the grass is so high that only the most
observant hiker spots it. If you do see it, do not pick or dig it up – it will not survive. Left
alone, it will live for a long time and allow many others to enjoy it.
It does grow near one of the boardwalks. Please leave it alone if you see it.
Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid
The yellow lady’s slipper
orchid is smaller than the
showy lady’s slipper and the
pouched lip is yellow.
Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid
The yellow lady’s slipper orchid has 3 to 5 leaves which
are ovate, plicate, 6-15 cm long and 3-8 cm wide and are
pubescent.
Yellow Orchid
The bright yellow, pouch
shaped, scented flowers are
the most distinctive
characteristic of this plant.
There are one or sometimes
two per plant. The flowers
have a yellow lip petal, 3 to 6
cm long, have a faint rose-like
perfume, are hermaphrodite
(have both male and female
organs) and are pollinated by
insects.
Yellow Lady’s
Slipper Orchid
The root has a pungent
bitter-sweet taste with an
unpleasant odour. It is
antispasmodic, diaphoretic
and hypnotic and should
not be dug up. Historically
it was used to treat anxiety,
nervous tension, insomnia,
depression and tension
headaches. Many suitable
substitutes for the same
medicinal uses are
available, so there is no
need to harvest this orchid.
Yellow Lady’s
Slipper Orchid
Orchids reproduce by seed. Since its
seed growth is so unique, it is related
here even though it is not used for
identification. The seeds must fall on
moist soil. The seed has a minute
embryo surrounded by a single layer
of protective cells. Unlike most seeds
of other plants, it contains very little
food and depends upon a symbiotic
relationship with a fungus. The fungal
hyphae enter the cells of the embryo
where the orchid uses it as a food
supply until it develops sufficiently to
take nutrients from the soil.
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