Alberta snapshot: Yellow lady’s slipper orchid.

Yellow lady’s slipper orchid, near Cochrane, Alberta. Photographed 27 June 2014.

I’m still trying to work out the specific epithet on this beauty: it appears that older literature lists it as Cypripedium calceolus (Eurasian yellow lady’s slipper), but there seems to be a more recent gravitation towards different names for the North American species (of which there are more than one). I’m going to go with C. parviflorum on this, but I’d definitely welcome more information. (UPDATE, December 2017: C. parviflorum it is! Thanks to Ben Rostron for the valuable assistance regarding ID).

No matter what the name, it’s definitely a treat to come across these lovely orchids in the wild!

What kinds of wild orchids grow where you live?

Posted by:

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Sheryl Normandeau is a writer and gardening enthusiast living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

60 responses to “Alberta snapshot: Yellow lady’s slipper orchid.”

gardeninacity

July 2, 2014

Beautiful flower, great picture. I know there are lady slippers that grow in northern Illinois, but I have never come across them.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  When I was browsing around the ‘net trying to sort out the issues with the name, I found out that there are several types in North America – very interesting! It amazes me how adapted they are to our weather.
  
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Deb

July 2, 2014

I think lady slippers are such treasures to come across. We have them in a nature sanctuary here in Red Deer. There is also a little wild flower garden that also has one or two plants.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  That’s definitely the word for them – “treasures.” 🙂 I was surprised to see so many at the Ranch, they seemed to be everywhere.
  
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Cathy

July 3, 2014

That’s a lovely shot Sheryl. We have a few different ones in the Alp region but I don’t know the names.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  Thanks! The little thing posed so beautifully…. 😉
  
  Have a wonderful weekend!
  
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Julie

July 3, 2014

Really lovely photograph, Slipper orchids are very beautiful. I find it tricky and a tad frustrating to identify wildflowers. Over here we have an Alpine society, which has a helpful website, but even comparing photographs is a tricky business too.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  I agree – it’s really difficult to get a positive ID sometimes! The variations in colour from region to region, all the subspecies, the differences in light and photography…it’s a headache. And then when there are issues with the names, it makes it even harder. The expertise and experience of growers at a society like the one you mention would be useful, though.
  
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Chloris

July 3, 2014

It looks very like one of my most treasured garden plants, Cypripedium kentuckiense, not native here, but one of my most pamperered plants. How wonderful to come across these treasures growing wild.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  I did some looking – it’s quite possible this one and your C. kentuckiense are VERY closely related. They sure do look very much alike! How wonderful that you grow it in your garden! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypripedium_kentuckiense
  
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craftysorcha

July 3, 2014

Oh I love the Lady’s slipper! It can be hard to find here in France depending on the part of the country (unfortunately some people think it’s ok to dig up plants and bring them home)
There are a lot of wild orchid species here, I would never have realised it but my OH is a botanist and a member of the local Orchidophile society so we go out specifically to look for them.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  That’s really too bad that the lady’s slippers are hard to find there because people have been removing them from the wild…it happens here, too, unfortunately.
  
  After I read your comment, I was thinking that going out to specifically look for orchids is the best way to see them – some of them are so small that I would miss them if I was just walking along! You have to go on a hunt.
  
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  1. craftysorcha
    
    July 6, 2014
    
    Oh yes sometimes they are very difficult to spot so it’s extra nice when you find a rare one!
    
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thebikinggardener

July 3, 2014

That’s a beauty. It is always special to see plants growing in the wild and often gives you clues about what they need in the garden to thrive, though often it can seem to conflict with what you read about them!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  That’s very true! Something to take note of when we find them….
  
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KerryCan

July 3, 2014

Wow–what a great photo! It’s a lovely flower–it deserved to be made a star!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  Definitely star-material, that’s for sure! 🙂
  
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Judy @ newenglandgardenandthread

July 3, 2014

I’ve never ‘seen’ one – absolutely beautiful. Love your header photo. 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  Thank you very much!
  
  Hope you’re enjoying a sunshine-filled weekend!
  
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raisingdaisy

July 3, 2014

Absolutely beautiful. And you’re right – it’s somehow more exciting to find them growing wild in nature.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  A little treasure to come across while out on a hike…so wonderful! 🙂
  
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Stephi

July 3, 2014

What a treat to find one in the wild. Used to find lady’s slippers and other orchids in MI and NY, but none here in IL. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen one.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  I think they’re getting harder and harder to find…so unfortunate.
  
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ontheedgegardening

July 3, 2014

Amazing!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  I so agree! 🙂
  
  Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful weekend!
  
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Candi

July 3, 2014

Beautiful, Sheryl!
My mom and grandma would have loved this flower 🙂

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Crooked Tracks

July 3, 2014

The pink and white lady slipper (Cypripedium reginae) is the state flower for Minnesota. I have seen the pink and white ones a few times. They are not easy to find 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  I found some photos and information about Cypripedium reginae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypripedium_reginae) – what a spectacular orchid! It’s really sad that they are so rare. You’re fortunate to have seen them.
  
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apuginthekitchen

July 3, 2014

Gorgeous photo!!! Amazing!!!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  Thanks! It was such a delight to see them!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker

July 3, 2014

Your photo is absolutely stunning; I shared it out to the internet, others should see your work.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  Thank you very much – that’s so very kind of you! I really appreciate it!
  
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Cynthia Reyes

July 3, 2014

What a beauty. I’ve seen both pinks and yellows nearby, but your yellow seems a bit different somehow.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  The colours were very vibrant, that’s for sure (it was a cloudy, overcast day so that may have translated when I took the photograph). I was surprised that the coral striping was so vivid – I’ve seen them before where that was all faded and didn’t look as nice.
  
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Sheila Creighton

July 4, 2014

beautiful!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 4, 2014
  
  I was so happy to see them growing all over! Made my day.
  
  I saw in my inbox this morning that you found some lady’s slippers, too! I’ll tack on a link so anyone reading this can see the ones you photographed: http://imageryoflight.wordpress.com/2014/07/04/small-yellow-ladys-slipper/. Neat to see that they’re blooming at the same time all across the country! 🙂
  
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thelonggardenpath

July 4, 2014

How wonderful to see orchids in the wild! Sorry, but I can’t help you with the nomenclature.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  It’s good that there are still some undisturbed areas where they can still grow! No worries on the nomenclature! 🙂
  
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bittster

July 5, 2014

Great find and beautiful photo. It really is a treat to come across one of these in the wild, but I haven’t seen one for years…

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 5, 2014
  
  Definitely a huge delight! 🙂
  
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colorpencil2014

July 6, 2014

What a magical flower! I have seen them often in Ontario. I am sure there are orchids in Ohio but have not noticed them as of yet. I will pay some extra attention from now on!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 6, 2014
  
  “Magical” is a perfect word to describe them! I hope you find some orchids there!
  
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Donna@GardensEyeView

July 6, 2014

A real find and a great picture Sheryl.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 6, 2014
  
  I was so pleased to see them! 🙂
  
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LB

July 8, 2014

I am clueless about orchids, wild or otherwise, but they are beautiful and fascinating!
love how those petals twist down …

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 15, 2014
  
  They are so unique and special, aren’t they?
  
  Hope you’re having a wonderful week so far!
  
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hermitsdoor

July 13, 2014

Enjoy the beauty, but keep their location a secret.
Oscar

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 15, 2014
  
  Fortunately, these ones are protected in a provincial park! 🙂 But they were in a very obvious location…there’s no way I was the only one who spotted them. Hopefully everyone enjoys them where they are.
  
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Marguerite

July 14, 2014

Gorgeous photo. This flower is my mother’s favourite so it’s one of the first flowers I knew as a child. (she grew up in Saskatchewan) I live in PEI now and we have wild ladyslippers too but they’re pink. Hard to find though, they are pretty particular about where they like to grow.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 15, 2014
  
  There is something really elegant and special about ladyslippers – your mother chose a wonderful flower as her favourite! And I think they might seem a bit “magical” in a child’s imagination, as well…. 🙂
  
  I did a little searching and found some photos and info on the pink ladyslipper that grows in PEI – it’s an absolute beauty! http://macphailwoods.org/nature-guides/wildflowers/lady-slippers/#prettyPhoto
  
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jmeyersforeman

July 15, 2014

Hi, lovely find, and you have done a great job of getting the photo. Someone from the Foothills Orchid Society might be able to help with the identification, just a thought.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 15, 2014
  
  That’s a great idea, Janice – not sure why I hadn’t thought of that already! Thanks, I’ll see if I can find out from someone there.
  
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Yvonne

November 7, 2014

We have numerous species of wild orchid growing here in Australia. However, I was born in Saskatchewan, and sure do remember those ladyslippers. I didn’t even know I was looking at an orchid, those many years ago.

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Anonymous

July 8, 2015

Hi Sheryl , my name is Carrie and I have been searching all over looking for a lady slipper plant. My grandmother passed away this past November and the lady slipper was one of her favorite flowers. Where can I find it? Would love to have one in my yard. If you can imagine my aunt that lives out in Airdre bought a miniature lady slipper from a greenhouse in airdre , really cool. I phoned the green house and apparently they don’t order them in every year.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  July 9, 2015
  
  Hi, Carrie, thanks so much for your comment! I’m so sorry to hear of your grandmother’s passing. It’s hard to obtain these orchids – the one I have in this photo is a wild one and cannot be legally removed from the park it is growing in. You can order in lady’s slippers from Fraser’s Thimble Farms in Salt Spring Island, B.C. – they have an online catalogue and will ship all over Canada. Some of the local nurseries might bring them in as well but as you say, perhaps not on a regular basis – it would depend on availability. I hope this helps!
  
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cindy

May 5, 2017

Hi Sheryl,
My name is Cindy.
I would like to know the name of yellow lady’s-slipper orchids in french.
I found Orchidée Jaune or Le Sabot de la Vierge.
Im not sure what is the right answer if its one one them.
Could you please a
help me?
Thanks a lot!
Cindy

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  May 5, 2017
  
  Hi, Cindy, thanks for your question, and for stopping in to check out Flowery Prose! I’m not French (despite my surname) but I think the name in French is Cypripede soulier (syn. Cypripede jaune). I’m afraid I can’t seem to add the correct accent here in the comment box. Here is a link: http://www.repertoirequebecnature.com/vasculaires/Cypripedium_parviflorum.html. I hope this helps!
  
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Ben Rostron

December 5, 2017

Hi Sheryl,
I stumbled on your blog while searching for some orchid info on the web (actually, your post on C. striata. I didn’t know you could find striped coral roots right by the Bow River there, I’ll have to check that out).
Anyway, the latin name for the plant you photographed above I would suggest is Cypripedium parviflorum… and leave it at that. Cyp. calceolus is what we used to call them, but flower morphology and DNA have led to the Eurasian ones retaining Cyp. calceolus, while the North American ones are all called Cyp. parviflorum. There are 4 +/- named varieties in North America, but many specialists still argue about which variety any given plant might be. If you want to step into the debate, call these Cypripedium parviflorum variety pubescens. A while ago, I posted some photographs in an album on my Flickr page (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ab_orchid/albums/72157682033743654) illustrating some of the different varieties of Cyp. parviflorum, and some of the problems with the names.
If you are interested, a few of my Alberta orchid photographs were featured here: https://northamericanorchidcenter.org/featured-orchids-of-alberta/.
If you email me, I might be able to help you see Corallorhiza trifida, and maculata. You’ve walked by them already, for sure!
~Ben

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  December 8, 2017
  
  Hi, Ben, thanks so very much for your comment on my post – I’m pleased and grateful for your input regarding proper naming for the yellow lady’s slipper orchid! I will update my post accordingly. Thank you also for the links to your wonderful orchid photos – wonderful to see! I really appreciate that you took the time to respond.
  
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Margy

June 12, 2019

I’ve had them growing in the ditch in front of our acreage for years – north of Airdrie. It is a mystery to me how they got there and why they think it is a good place to be!

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