Showy Lady's Slipper Cypripedium reginae
ABOUT
The Showy Lady's Slipper, known for its striking beauty, features lush, large leaves that are broadly ovate and strongly veined, creating a dense canopy of green. Its most remarkable feature is the distinctive flower, which blossoms into a stunning visual display. The flower is composed of two parts: the inflated pouch—reminiscent of a slipper—and the petals and sepals framing it. The pouch is usually a brilliant white, often flushed with pink, while the twisted petals and sepals contrast in a delicate pink to magenta hue. The bloom's overall shape and coloration resemble a lady’s slipper, giving rise to its common name. This plant primarily blooms in the late spring to early summer, with each flower offering an enchanting spectacle that seems almost orchid-like in its intricate form and patterning. The roots establish a hardy underground network, but the most captivating aspect is undeniably its floral arrangement, which has cemented the Showy Lady's Slipper’s status as a beloved and sought-after addition to gardens and natural landscapes.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Showy Lady's Slipper, Queen's Lady's Slipper, White-winged Lady's Slipper, Pink-and-White Lady's Slipper, Royal Lady's Slipper
Common names
Cypripedium spectabile, Cypripedium reginae var. reginae, Fissipes reginae, Criosanthes reginae.
ToxicityTo humans
The Showy Lady's Slipper, which is the most common name for Cypripedium reginae, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, some people may experience irritation or dermatitis upon handling the plant, as it contains compounds that can be irritating to the skin. Ingesting parts of the plant is not typically associated with severe poisoning, but it can potentially cause stomach upset and digestive discomfort. Therefore, it is advised to avoid consuming any parts of this plant.
To pets
Showy Lady's Slipper, the common name for Cypripedium reginae, is not widely known as a toxic plant to pets. However, as with humans, some animals may experience mild stomach upset if they ingest parts of the plant. It is always best to prevent pets from eating ornamental plants as a general precautionary measure, because even non-toxic plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal disturbances in animals if they are not part of their usual diet.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
2
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ecosystem Support: Cypripedium reginae, commonly known as the Showy Lady's Slipper, provides essential support to the ecosystem by offering habitat and nourishment for native pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
- Biodiversity Enhancement: The presence of Showy Lady's Slipper in an area can contribute to the biodiversity of that ecosystem by being a part of a diverse range of flora, which in turn supports a variety of fauna.
- Aesthetic Value: With its striking appearance, the Showy Lady's Slipper is valued for its aesthetic contribution to gardens and natural landscapes, appreciated by both gardeners and nature enthusiasts for its beauty.
- Educational Interest: As an orchid with specific growing requirements, the Showy Lady's Slipper can be used as an educational tool to teach about plant biology, conservation, and the importance of habitat preservation.
- Conservation Significance: Many regions regard the conservation of Cypripedium reginae as significant due to its sensitive habitat requirements, making it a symbol for conservation efforts and environment-friendly practices.
- Cultural Importance: The Showy Lady's Slipper has cultural value in certain areas, sometimes even being designated as a state flower or part of indigenous traditions, and used in celebrations of natural heritage.
Medical Properties- Antispasmodic: Cypripedium reginae, also known as the Showy Lady's Slipper, has been traditionally used to relieve muscle spasms.
- Nervine: It was historically considered to have a calming effect on the central nervous system.
- Anodyne: The plant was used in the past for its pain-relieving properties.
- Sedative: Showy Lady's Slipper was sometimes employed to induce sleep and to treat insomnia.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cypripedium reginae, also known as the Showy Lady's Slipper, has been used ceremonially by Indigenous peoples, who value its beauty for decorative purposes in traditional garments and headdresses.
- Showy Lady's Slipper's fibrous root system can be utilized in erosion control, helping to stabilize soil in gardens and restorative projects.
- Due to its large, attractive flowers, the Showy Lady's Slipper is a prized subject for botanical artists and photographers, making it a source of artistic inspiration.
- The plant can play a role in educational settings, such as botanical gardens, where it is used to teach about native plant conservation and orchid pollination mechanisms.
- Showy Lady's Slipper's uniqueness and rarity make it a symbol for conservation efforts, utilized in campaigns to raise awareness about the protection of wild orchids and their habitats.
- This orchid's presence can increase the ecological value of a habitat, providing an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, which can be beneficial for ecotourism initiatives.
- The distinct shape and striking colors of the Showy Lady's Slipper's flowers can be used as a motif in design and fashion, inspiring patterns for textiles and accessories.
- In specialty horticulture, this species is cultivated by orchid enthusiasts for competitive showing in orchid exhibitions and competitions.
- As a subject of scientific study, the Showy Lady's Slipper offers insights into orchid evolution, symbiotic relationships with fungi, and plant adaptation to cold climates.
- The plant serves as an ambassador species for bog and wetland habitats, helping to foster interest in preserving these critical ecosystems.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Showy Lady's Slipper is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Showy Lady's Slipper is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Royalty - Cypripedium reginae, commonly known as the Showy Lady's Slipper, exudes a regal presence with its striking and magnificent blooms, resembling a royal garment or slipper fit for a queen.
- Beauty & Elegance - The Showy Lady's Slipper's exquisite and delicate appearance symbolizes refined beauty and natural elegance.
- Rarity & Uniqueness - As a rare and protected orchid species in many regions, the Showy Lady's Slipper represents uniqueness and the preciousness of rare things.
- Femininity - With its slipper-shaped pouch, the orchid is often associated with feminine qualities, capturing the essence of grace and delicacy typical to historical perceptions of femininity.
WaterThe Showy Lady's Slipper should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, typically in spring and summer, you may need to water it once or twice a week, depending on the climate and weather conditions. It's important not to let the soil dry out completely; hence, a thorough watering should be provided, which might be around 1 to 1.5 gallons per week for an established plant in a garden setting. During the dormant period in fall and winter, reduce watering frequency to when the soil approaches dryness, but ensure it does not completely dry out.
LightThe Showy Lady's Slipper thrives in dappled sunlight, mimicking its natural woodland habitat. A spot that receives morning sunlight with afternoon shade or filtered sunlight through a canopy of trees is ideal. Avoid direct, strong sunlight, especially during the hot midday hours, as it can scorch the leaves and stress the plant.
TemperatureThe Showy Lady's Slipper prefers cool to moderate temperatures, with ideal growing conditions between 60°F to 75°F during the day and cooler at night, preferably between 50°F to 60°F. It can tolerate winter chill down to about 20°F, but should not be exposed to temperatures below that. During a hot summer, the plant should be protected from extreme heat above 80°F.
PruningPruning of the Showy Lady's Slipper is generally limited to removing dead or damaged leaves and flower stems to maintain plant health and appearance. This should be done after the flowers have faded and is best carried out in the fall as the plant enters dormancy. Pruning can encourage new growth in the following season and prevent disease by removing potential infection sites.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Showy Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium reginae) thrives in a well-draining, moisture-retentive mix comprised of equal parts loam, perlite, and peat moss. The soil pH for this plant should ideally be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.
RepottingShowy Lady's Slipper should be repotted every two to three years or when the growing medium begins to decompose, which can affect drainage and root health.
Humidity & MistingShowy Lady's Slipper prefers high humidity levels, generally around 40-50%, but can tolerate lower levels if the soil moisture and surrounding environment are controlled well.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure high humidity, cool temperatures, and shade.
Outdoor
Partial shade, moist acidic soil, protect from hot sun.
Hardiness zone
2-6 USDA
Life cycleThe Showy Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium reginae) begins its life cycle when seeds are dispersed by wind, due to their lightweight and small size. Lacking endosperm for sustenance, the seeds rely on a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi to germinate and develop into a protocorm—an initial tuber-like stage. This stage can last several years, with the protocorm slowly growing into a small root system and a shoot that will eventually produce leaves. Once the shoot emerges above the soil, the plant enters the juvenile phase, growing leaves and photosynthesizing but not yet flowering. After several years of vegetative growth, the Showy Lady's Slipper reaches maturity and can produce its first flowers, typically blooming in late spring to early summer, which are pollinated by bees to enable sexual reproduction. The mature stage is recurrent annually, with the plant capable of living for many years, producing new flowers and potentially dividing to form clumps of individual plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Cypripedium reginae, commonly known as the Showy Lady's Slipper, is division of the rhizomes. This process is typically carried out in late summer after the plant has flowered and begun to go dormant. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant, ensuring to get as much of the root system as possible. Wash the soil off the roots, and using a sharp, clean knife, divide the rhizome into sections, making sure each section has at least one growth bud. The divisions should then be planted in a well-draining soil mix at the same depth they were originally growing. It is important to water the newly planted divisions well and to maintain even moisture without overwatering. By following this method, new Showy Lady's Slipper plants will establish themselves and can eventually produce flowers in subsequent seasons.
