May 16, 2012

NH's Pink Lady Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)

The pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) was designated the official state wildflower of New Hampshire in 1991. A unique member of the orchid family, this showy flower is native to North America (also known as moccasin flower, or simply lady slipper).



The lady's slipper is protected in some areas - its numbers have been greatly reduced due to loss of habitat. Also, since the lady's slipper is one of the more eye-catching wildflowers of the northeast, transplanting attempts have taken a significant toll on their numbers (transplanting nearly always fails because the lady's slipper has a symbiotic relationship with a certain fungus in the forest).


A reminder to all forest visitors - tred lightly - take home only photos and memories - preserve the delicate ecology of our dwindling woods.









3 comments:

Scriptor Senex said...

Delightful photos. Sadly people over in the UK try to transplant orchids - both rare and relatively common - and, as you say, they nearly always fail becaue of the relationship with the fungi in the soil.
Lovely post, thank you.

EG CameraGirl said...

Lovely. Lady's slippers won't be blooming here for a little while yet. I love finding them in the woods, and it makes me so angry that people dig them up!

Bernadine said...

Beautiful! Thanks for reminding us all to respect the beauty and fragile nature of the woodlands.