Yellow Lady's Slipper Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as Yellow Lady's Slipper is a captivating and visually striking orchid. It features a distinctive pouch-like lip, often a rich yellow, which closely resembles a slipper, hence its common name. Around the pouch, the petals and sepals can vary from yellow to greenish-brown or sometimes even have purplish streaks. These structures can have wavy or twisted edges, adding to the plant's intricate appearance. Above the slipper structure, there is typically a pair of large, ovate leaves that are pleated and deep green, providing a lush backdrop for the delicate flowers. The overall impression of the Yellow Lady's Slipper is one of exotic elegance and intricate detail, making it a prized species among orchid enthusiasts.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Orchidaceae
Synonyms
Yellow Lady's Slipper, Lesser Yellow Lady's Slipper, Yellow Moccasin Flower
Common names
Cypripedium calceolus var. parviflorum, Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens, Cypripedium pubescens, Cypripedium parviflorum.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant known as Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum) is generally not considered toxic to humans. However, it should be noted that any plant material, if ingested in significant amounts or handled improperly, can potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals. Despite the lack of significant toxicity, it is always advisable to avoid ingesting parts of plants not known to be edible to prevent any possible adverse effects.
To pets
Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum) is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. While it does not have a reputation for being a poisonous plant, as with any non-food plant, ingestion can potentially lead to mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some animals. It is generally wise to prevent pets from consuming plants that are not part of their regular diet to avoid any possible health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic value: The Yellow Lady's Slipper orchid adds beauty to gardens and natural areas with its distinctive yellow flowers and unique pouch-like shape.
- Biodiversity support: As a native species, it contributes to the biodiversity of its natural habitat and offers support for local ecosystems.
- Pollinator attraction: It attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, which is vital for the pollination of other plants and the health of ecosystems.
- Education and research: It is an object of study for botanists and ecologists, helping to educate about plant biology and ecology.
- Conservation indicator: The presence of Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum can indicate the health of the ecosystem in which it resides, thus it serves as a bioindicator species.
- Cultural significance: The Yellow Lady's Slipper has cultural and historical importance to indigenous communities and is often featured in folklore and art.
- Habitat enhancement: By planting this orchid, gardeners and conservationists can help enhance and restore habitats, especially those that have been degraded or are at risk.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum, commonly known as Yellow Lady's Slipper, can be used in landscape gardening as an ornamental. Its unique and vibrant flowers can add aesthetic value to shade gardens and woodland settings.
- The plant can serve as a teaching tool in botanical education, helping students learn about orchid morphology and the complexity of plant-pollinator interactions specific to orchids.
- Due to its rarity and unique appearance, Yellow Lady's Slipper may be used in photography projects to emphasize the diversity and beauty of native plants in their natural habitats.
- Yellow Lady's Slipper can be a symbol for conservation efforts, promoting awareness of endangered species and the importance of preserving natural plant communities.
- In environmental science, the plant can be used as an indicator species to assess the health of the ecosystems where it naturally occurs.
- The plant’s fibers from the roots and leaves may be experimentally used for making small-scale, artisan paper or as natural fibers in textile art.
- Yellow Lady's Slipper plays a role in horticultural therapy, providing sensory stimulation and a sense of achievement when successfully cultivated by enthusiasts with special needs.
- Some communities may utilize the plant in cultural traditions and ceremonies due to its distinct appearance and regional significance.
- For hobbyist plant collectors, cultivating Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum can be a specialized interest, creating an opportunity for social bonding and knowledge exchange.
- The Yellow Lady's Slipper can be inspirational for artists and designers, influencing patterns, colors, and motifs in visual arts, fashion, and jewelry design.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Yellow Lady's Slipper is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Yellow Lady's Slipper is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Rarity: Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum, commonly known as the Yellow Lady's Slipper, is a rare orchid species, symbolizing uniqueness and value due to its scarcity in some regions.
- Beauty: Orchids are often associated with beauty and refinement, and the Yellow Lady's Slipper, with its distinctive and attractive bloom, embodies these qualities.
- Femininity: The shape of the flower, resembling a delicate slipper, has links to femininity and grace, reflecting the gentle and subtle aspects of nature.
- Captivation: The unusual and striking appearance of the Yellow Lady's Slipper can symbolize the power of nature to captivate and hold our attention, reminding us of the wonders of biodiversity.
WaterThe Yellow Lady's Slipper should be watered moderately, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. It is best to water this orchid once or twice a week, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment. Use approximately 1/4 gallon of water for each watering session, evenly distributing it around the plant base. During the active growth season in spring and summer, you may need to water more frequently; however, reduce watering during the dormant winter months, ensuring the root zone doesn't dry out completely.
LightThe Yellow Lady's Slipper thrives in bright, indirect light with some dappled sunlight. It is ideal to place it near a north-facing window or a shaded east or west-facing window, as direct, harsh sunlight can scorch the leaves. These light conditions mimic its natural woodland habitat, where it is shielded from the sun by tree canopies.
TemperatureThe Yellow Lady's Slipper prefers cool to moderate temperatures, with ideal conditions ranging between 60°F and 75°F. It can tolerate minimum winter temperatures down to 50°F and maximum summer temperatures up to 80°F. Avoid exposing the plant to temperatures outside this range to prevent stress and damage.
PruningThe Yellow Lady's Slipper does not require extensive pruning, but you should remove any dead or damaged leaves and spent flower stems to maintain cleanliness and prevent disease. The best time for this light pruning is after flowering or in early spring before new growth begins. Prune only as necessary to keep the plant healthy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Yellow Lady's Slipper orchid prefers well-draining, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 5.5 to 7. A mixture of two parts fine pine bark, one part coarse perlite, and one part peat moss creates an ideal soil environment for this orchid species.
RepottingYellow Lady's Slipper orchids do not need frequent repotting and should only be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when the potting mix starts to degrade.
Humidity & MistingYellow Lady's Slipper orchids thrive in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 70%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep in bright, indirect light with a cool temp.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade, mulch well, protect from wind.
Hardiness zone
2-8 USDA
Life cycleYellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum) begins its life cycle as a seed, which requires a symbiotic relationship with a fungus to germinate—a process known as mycorrhizal association. Upon successful germination, a protocorm is formed, which is an early growth stage of the orchid where the plant develops its first root and shoot. As the plant matures, it forms a rosette of leaves close to the ground and eventually grows a stalk that bears the distinctive yellow, slipper-shaped flowers that pollinators, especially bees, are attracted to. After pollination, the plant develops a seed capsule filled with thousands of dust-like seeds that disperse into the environment to continue the life cycle. In favorable conditions, Yellow lady's slipper's rhizomes can give rise to new shoots every year, enabling the perennial growth habit. Over time, individual plants can form large clumps, but the growth rate is typically slow, with flowering not occurring until several years after germination.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Yellow Lady's Slipper, which is the common name for Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum, is through division. This should be done in late summer or early fall, after the plant has finished blooming and starts to go dormant. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant and separate the rhizomes, ensuring each division has at least one growth bud. Replant the divisions immediately at the same soil depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growth. Water the newly planted divisions well to help establish them. Dividing the plant every few years also helps to rejuvenate older clumps that might otherwise decline in vigour.
