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_cypripedium _
By: josh
The Ladys Slipper: Cypripedium Plant Name The ladys Slipper, or Cypripedium,
is an easily recognizable species from the Orchidaceae family. Plant
Description The family is commonly known to have fantastic flowers, with
flamboyant color and display. Members of this family are normally found to
grow in bogs, meadowlands, and woodlands. The flowers all share some common
characteristics, such as, possessing three sepals and petals, with markedly
bilateral symmetry. The lowest petal, or lip, usually differs from the other
two, either in shape, size, or color, possibly all three. Secondly, the center
of the flower is recognized by what is known as a column, which consists of
the formed style, stigma, and up to three stamens all joined together. The
ovary, which is inferior and embedded in the end of the stem helps to support
the rest of the flower. Another characteristic of the Orchidaceae family is
the twisting that they do during development. This causes what started out as
the lowest petal to become the uppermost. This condition is now referred to
botanists as resupinate (Rickett 94). There are several species found within
the genus, Cypripedium, but all share the characteristic inflated,
slipper-shaped lip, from which the common name originates (Walcott 20). The
genus not only gets its name from the large lip of the flower, but botanically
from the reference to the slipper or the sandal (pedilum) of Aphrodite, the
goddess of love and beauty, who was born on the island of Cyprus (Rickett 96).
The ladys slipper differs from other members of the Orchidaceae family due to
the two pollen-bearing stamens, which sit on either side of the column near
the opening of the slipper. The lip has a large opening on the upper
surface, which is enclosed by the curved margins of the lip. The two stamens
block the lip opening at the base of the plant, and leave only two very small
openings on each side of the column at the base (House 64). There is also a
third sterile stamen present, which acts as a shield at the tip of the column
(Rickett 94). The lip of the ladys slipper is thought to aid in pollination
of the flower. Bees, as well as other insects, enter the lip by the upper
opening on the side and feed upon the nectar found inside. When the time comes
for the insect to exit the flower, they must crawl past the column, and in the
process, take with them some of the sticky pollen masses from the two fertile
stamens. Then as they visit another flower, this pollen may come in contact
with the new flower (Walcott 20). The other flower parts of the ladys slipper
include the stigma, which goes downward into the cavity of the lip; two lower
sepals which are joined, giving the appearance of only two sepals; and a
single green bract, similar to the foliage leave but smaller, which stand
behind each flower (Rickett 96). Species of Family As mentioned earlier there
are several types of species of the genus Cypripedium. Several of these
species include the Pink LadySlipper, the Yellow or Downy Ladys Slipper, the
Showy Ladys Slipper, the Small White Ladys Slipper, and the Rams Head
Ladys Slipper. The species differ according to where it is found, the
position of the flower, the color of the flower, the size of the flower, and
the parts of the flower. Cypripedium acaule One of the most common species of
the ladys slipper is the Cypripedium acaule, or the Pink ladys slipper. The
species name acaule is Latin for stem less, in reference to the leafless
stem of this flower. This plant has a fibrous root system, two basal,
pubescent leaves, and is 10-25 cm long. There is a solitary flower that sits
on a stalk 25-40 cm long that arises between the two leaves. There are two
purplish-brown sepals that are lanceolate and up to 5 cm in length. The petals
are similar in size and appearance to the sepals, while the labellum is
inflated and pouch shaped. It is opened by a slit in the front, with edges
that are turned in, and normally magenta to whitish-pink in color. This
commonly found growing in bogs or moist woodlands, anywhere from Newfoundland
to Georgia, in late April to mid-July (Hylander 64). C. calculus Another
common species is the Yellow Ladys Slipper, or C. calculus. The species name
calceolus has the Latin meaning little shoe, referring to the smaller flower
of this species. The plant arises from a rhizome and may grow tow be up to 40
cm in height. There are normally 3-5 ovate leaves present in a pubescent
arrangement. There are usually one or two flowers present on the stem, which
have a yellow lip, and are twisted greenish-yellow to purplish-brown petals.
This species blooms from April to July and is commonly found in Georgia and
North Carolina, growing in bogs, swamps, and woodlands (Rickett 96). C.
arietnum Another species is the Rams Head Ladys Slipper, or C. arietinum.
This is the only ladys slipper species found in North America in which all
three sepals are distinct. The sepals, as well as the lateral petals, are
greenish-brown. The lip, streaked white and red, is only one half of an inch
long, with a conical projection below, which makes it easily distinguishable
from other species. This is a rare species, normally found in the cold, damp
woods of Northern areas, such as Quebec, Massachusetts, and New York (House
67). C. reginae Another ladys slipper species is the Showy Ladys Slipper, or
C. reginae. As its name suggests, this species in one of the most beautiful to
see. The stem grows to a large height of three feet with elliptic, tapered
leaves reaching all the way to the top of the stem. At the summit of the plant
grows one to three bi-colored flowers (House 68). The white lip of the flower
is more than one inch long and suffused with pink and decorated with purplish
streaks (Walcott 21). The leaves and stems of this species are very hairy,
which may produce an irritation of the skin similar to that caused by Poison
Ivy. This species commonly blooms anywhere from May to August in the mossy
swamps, bogs, and mountains of Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri (Rickett 96).
C. candidum The small White Ladys Slipper, or C. candidnum, is a slender
species found in sphagnum bogs and marshy meadows, but is a rather rare
species. There are three to five elliptical, pointed leaves on the erect stem,
which rarely exceeds one foot in height. The flowers normally occur singly at
the tip of the stem. The sepals, longer than the lip, are greenish in color
and spotted with purple (House 65). The lip, striped with purple or magenta,
is plump and saclike, and is about three fourths of an inch long (Hylander
68). This species flowers in June and May in restricted areas from New York to
North Dakota (House 65). C. montanum The last species is the Mountains ladys
Slipper, or C. montanum. This species has a leafy stem that grows to a height
of two feet or more. The long, twisted sepals, as well as the petals, vary in
color from dark green to brownish-purple, while the lip is white with pink or
purplish lines. This species is commonly found in Northern areas, such as
Montana and Wyoming, and moves westward to Alaska, Washington, California, and
Oregon (Walcott 21). Medicinal Use Currently there is no medicinal use for any
species in the family Cypripedium. However, one day research might prove this
to be otherwise. Conclusion By researching this flower, I learned more about
the general characteristics of the Orchidaceae family, as well as the traits
of each individual species of the genus Cypripedium. I found it interesting
how they all can belong to the same genus, yet have very distinguishable
characteristics. Due to this research, I feel that I am able to relate better
to the Orchidaceae family and I will have a much greater appreciation for it.
Works Cited House, Homer D. Wild Flowers. New York: Macmillan Co., 1942.
Hylander, Clarence J. The Macmillan Wild Flower Book. New York: Macmillan Co.,
1954. Rickett, Harold William. Wildflowers of the United States, Vol 2: The
Southeastern States. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1967. Walcott, Mary Vaux.
Wildflowers of America. New York: Crown Publishers, 1969. The Ladys Slipper:
Cypripedium Plant Name The ladys Slipper, or Cypripedium, is an easily
recognizable species from the Orchidaceae family. Plant Description The
family is commonly known to have fantastic flowers, with flamboyant color and
display. Members of this family are normally found to grow in bogs,
meadowlands, and woodlands. The flowers all share some common characteristics,
such as, possessing three sepals and petals, with markedly bilateral symmetry.
The lowest petal, or lip, usually differs from the other two, either in shape,
size, or color, possibly all three. Secondly, the center of the flower is
recognized by what is known as a column, which consists of the formed style,
stigma, and up to three stamens all joined together. The ovary, which is
inferior and embedded in the end of the stem helps to support the rest of the
flower. Another characteristic of the Orchidaceae family is the twisting that
they do during development. This causes what started out as the lowest petal
to become the uppermost. This condition is now referred to botanists as
resupinate (Rickett 94). There are several species found within the genus,
Cypripedium, but all share the characteristic inflated, slipper-shaped lip,
from which the common name originates (Walcott 20). The genus not only gets
its name from the large lip of the flower, but botanically from the reference
to the slipper or the sandal (pedilum) of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and
beauty, who was born on the island of Cyprus (Rickett 96). The ladys slipper
differs from other members of the Orchidaceae family due to the two
pollen-bearing stamens, which sit on either side of the column near the
opening of the slipper. The lip has a large opening on the upper surface,
which is enclosed by the curved margins of the lip. The two stamens block the
lip opening at the base of the plant, and leave only two very small openings
on each side of the column at the base (House 64). There is also a third
sterile stamen present, which acts as a shield at the tip of the column
(Rickett 94). The lip of the ladys slipper is thought to aid in pollination
of the flower. Bees, as well as other insects, enter the lip by the upper
opening on the side and feed upon the nectar found inside. When the time comes
for the insect to exit the flower, they must crawl past the column, and in the
process, take with them some of the sticky pollen masses from the two fertile
stamens. Then as they visit another flower, this pollen may come in contact
with the new flower (Walcott 20). The other flower parts of the ladys slipper
include the stigma, which goes downward into the cavity of the lip; two lower
sepals which are joined, giving the appearance of only two sepals; and a
single green bract, similar to the foliage leave but smaller, which stand
behind each flower (Rickett 96). Species of Family As mentioned earlier there
are several types of species of the genus Cypripedium. Several of these
species include the Pink LadySlipper, the Yellow or Downy Ladys Slipper, the
Showy Ladys Slipper, the Small White Ladys Slipper, and the Rams Head
Ladys Slipper. The species differ according to where it is found, the
position of the flower, the color of the flower, the size of the flower, and
the parts of the flower. Cypripedium acaule One of the most common species of
the ladys slipper is the Cypripedium acaule, or the Pink ladys slipper. The
species name acaule is Latin for stem less, in reference to the leafless
stem of this flower. This plant has a fibrous root system, two basal,
pubescent leaves, and is 10-25 cm long. There is a solitary flower that sits
on a stalk 25-40 cm long that arises between the two leaves. There are two
purplish-brown sepals that are lanceolate and up to 5 cm in length. The petals
are similar in size and appearance to the sepals, while the labellum is
inflated and pouch shaped. It is opened by a slit in the front, with edges
that are turned in, and normally magenta to whitish-pink in color. This
commonly found growing in bogs or moist woodlands, anywhere from Newfoundland
to Georgia, in late April to mid-July (Hylander 64). C. calculus Another
common species is the Yellow Ladys Slipper, or C. calculus. The species name
calceolus has the Latin meaning little shoe, referring to the smaller flower
of this species. The plant arises from a rhizome and may grow tow be up to 40
cm in height. There are normally 3-5 ovate leaves present in a pubescent
arrangement. There are usually one or two flowers present on the stem, which
have a yellow lip, and are twisted greenish-yellow to purplish-brown petals.
This species blooms from April to July and is commonly found in Georgia and
North Carolina, growing in bogs, swamps, and woodlands (Rickett 96). C.
arietnum Another species is the Rams Head Ladys Slipper, or C. arietinum.
This is the only ladys slipper species found in North America in which all
three sepals are distinct. The sepals, as well as the lateral petals, are
greenish-brown. The lip, streaked white and red, is only one half of an inch
long, with a conical projection below, which makes it easily distinguishable
from other species. This is a rare species, normally found in the cold, damp
woods of Northern areas, such as Quebec, Massachusetts, and New York (House
67). C. reginae Another ladys slipper species is the Showy Ladys Slipper, or
C. reginae. As its name suggests, this species in one of the most beautiful to
see. The stem grows to a large height of three feet with elliptic, tapered
leaves reaching all the way to the top of the stem. At the summit of the plant
grows one to three bi-colored flowers (House 68). The white lip of the flower
is more than one inch long and suffused with pink and decorated with purplish
streaks (Walcott 21). The leaves and stems of this species are very hairy,
which may produce an irritation of the skin similar to that caused by Poison
Ivy. This species commonly blooms anywhere from May to August in the mossy
swamps, bogs, and mountains of Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri (Rickett 96).
C. candidum The small White Ladys Slipper, or C. candidnum, is a slender
species found in sphagnum bogs and marshy meadows, but is a rather rare
species. There are three to five elliptical, pointed leaves on the erect stem,
which rarely exceeds one foot in height. The flowers normally occur singly at
the tip of the stem. The sepals, longer than the lip, are greenish in color
and spotted with purple (House 65). The lip, striped with purple or magenta,
is plump and saclike, and is about three fourths of an inch long (Hylander
68). This species flowers in June and May in restricted areas from New York to
North Dakota (House 65). C. montanum The last species is the Mountains ladys
Slipper, or C. montanum. This species has a leafy stem that grows to a height
of two feet or more. The long, twisted sepals, as well as the petals, vary in
color from dark green to brownish-purple, while the lip is white with pink or
purplish lines. This species is commonly found in Northern areas, such as
Montana and Wyoming, and moves westward to Alaska, Washington, California, and
Oregon (Walcott 21). Medicinal Use Currently there is no medicinal use for any
species in the family Cypripedium. However, one day research might prove this
to be otherwise. Conclusion By researching this flower, I learned more about
the general characteristics of the Orchidaceae family, as well as the traits
of each individual species of the genus Cypripedium. I found it interesting
how they all can belong to the same genus, yet have very distinguishable
characteristics. Due to this research, I feel that I am able to relate better
to the Orchidaceae family and I will have a much greater appreciation for it.
Works Cited House, Homer D. Wild Flowers. New York: Macmillan Co., 1942.
Hylander, Clarence J. The Macmillan Wild Flower Book. New York: Macmillan Co.,
1954. Rickett, Harold William. Wildflowers of the United States, Vol 2: The
Southeastern States. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1967. Walcott, Mary Vaux.
Wildflowers of America. New York: Crown Publishers, 1969.
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