Cypripedium fasciculatum

Known as the Brownie or Clustered Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium fasciculatum is found in the northwestern United States, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. It is not common in any part of its range but is often hard to find because of its low profile and small flowers. It grows usually in rather heavily forested areas.

Its leaves are opposite, plate-like and round, two to a stem. The plant is around 25 cm tall, often less than that. The flowers form a dropping cluster of two to four just above the leaves. They are a dull mahogany or green or greenish-yellow marked with mahogany. The lip is similarly colored. There are two named forms, fma. purpureum, a uniform dark mahogany, and fma. viride, a clear green.

Cypripedium fgasciculatum is the least showy of our native Slippers, but charming nonetheless. Its conservation status is listed as apparently secure.

Posted on Μάρτιος 06, 2024 0339 ΜΜ by ronaldhanko