Cypripedium acaule
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Genus: Cypripedium Species: C. acaule
Binomial name
Cypripedium acaule L.

Cypripedium acaule is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as Lady's Slipper orchids. First described in 1700, Cypripedium acaule is commonly referred to as the Pink Lady's Slipper. An alba variety exist which has a white lip instead of a pink one. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1512x2016, 162 KB) Source: Max Wahrhaftig File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Cypripedium acaule Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta - rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta - zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta - trimerophytes Pteridophyta - ferns and horsetails Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta - ginkgo Gnetophyta - gnetae Magnoliophyta - flowering plants... It has been suggested that Angiospermae, and Anthophyta be merged into this article or section. ... Liliopsida is the botanical name for a class. ... Families according to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group Agapanthus Agavaceae Alliaceae Amaryllidaceae Aphyllanthaceae Asparagaceae Asphodelaceae Asteliaceae Blandfordiaceae Boryaceae Doryanthaceae Hemerocallidaceae Hyacinthaceae Hypoxidaceae Iridaceae Ixioliriaceae Lanariaceae Laxmanniaceae Orchidaceae Ruscaceae Tecophilaeaceae Themidaceae Xanthorrhoea Xeronema Asparagales is an order of monocots which includes a number of families of non-woody plants. ... Subfamilies Apostasioideae Cypripedioideae Epidendroideae Orchidoideae Vanilloideae For genera, see list of Orchidaceae genera. ... Species See text Cypripedium Lindley 1757, is a genus of the 56 species from the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23[], 1707 – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[1] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Orchid re-directs here; for alternate uses see Orchid (disambiguation) Genera Over 800 See List of Orchidaceae genera. ... Species See text Cypripedium Lindley 1757, is a genus of the 56 species from the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). ... Genera See Taxonomy of the orchid family. ... Orchid re-directs here; for alternate uses see Orchid (disambiguation) Genera Over 800 See List of Orchidaceae genera. ...

Description

Unlike most other members of Cypripedium, the pouch of C. acaule opens in a slit the runs down the front of the labellum rather than a round opening. The plant consists of two plicate leaves near the ground. From between those leaves sprouts a long, pubescent stalk that bears a single pink flower. The sepals and petals tend to be yellowish-brown to maroon with a large pouch that is usually pink, but is sometimes solid white The Labellum (or Lip) is a part of an orchid. ... Flower of the Primrose Willowherb (Ludwigia octovalvis) showing petals and sepals A sepal is one member or part of the calyx of a flower. ... It has been suggested that Corolla be merged into this article or section. ...

Range

C. acaule can be found in the eastern third of the United States and north into Canada, coming very close to the arctic circle. This widespread species can be found in a wide variety of environments: from coastal plains to pine barrens to mountain tops. However, it prefers its soil to be highly acidic and can usually be found where pine trees provide a groundcover of needles. World map showing the Arctic Circle in red A sign along the Dalton Highway marking the location of the Arctic Circle The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. ...

Habitat

C. acaule grows in a variety of different habitats, including moist and dry soils. It is usually found in pine forests, where it can be seen in large colonies, but it grows in deciduous woods, as well. It is nearly always found in soil with high acid content. Because of a fungus association needed for growth, and the high acid this plant needs, C. acaule is very difficult to grow in the average garden and is unlikely to survive any attempts at transplantation. Additionally, this species is considered endangered in Illinois and Tennessee and should not be removed or disturbed if found in nature.

Common names

• Pink Lady's Slipper
• Moccasin Flower
• Two-leaved Lady's Slipper

References

• Phillip Cribb & Peter Green (1997). The Genus Cypripedium (a botanical monograph). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Timber Press ISBN 0-88192-403-2

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Cypripedium acaule