©Pennystone Gardens
Family
Orchidaceae
Botanical Name
Cypripedium acaule
Plant Common Name
Moccasin Flower, Pink Lady's Slipper, Pink Ladyslipper Orchid
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Mid- and late spring brings out moccasin flower's rosy pink flower with brown sepals. A ground-dwelling (terrestrial) orchid that is an herbaceous perennial, this beauty grows from a rhizome (underground stem). This is a highly variable species, depending on where in North America it originates; and it readily hybridizes with other lady's slipper species. The native range is large: from Alaska southward across the lower half of Canada as well as the Rocky Mountains of the United States and a large chunk of the northeastern third of the nation.
The clumping plant grows light green to yellow-green, broad lance-like leaves that clasp the upright stems. In late spring to midsummer, depending on warmth of climate, the stem tips bears one or two flowers that looks like a moccasin slipper with three protruding ribbons. The large lip (the moccasin) of the flower is pale to rich yellow, while the petal and sepals are slightly twisted and can be pale green, yellow, speckled red or a dark maroon. They may or not be fragrant, smelling like a rose. Flowers are pollinated by bees that crawl into the lip and must wiggle their way back out.
Moccasin flower needs a neutral soil that is of coarse loam or sand in dappled light shade to nearly full shade. It also tolerates slightly acidic soil and thus is one of the best Cypripedium for general use in the home garden. Soil should be moist and cool but have good drainage. This orchid is fairly forgiving and easy to grow in the garden; however, it should be left undisturbed if encountered in the wild. It can be cultured successfully in containers. Grow moccasin flower in a shady mixed border or woodland garden. The exquisite beauty of the flowers are a crowning joy to any gardener's landscape.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
7 - 1
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
18"-50" / 45.7cm - 127.0cm
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Width
8"-12" / 20.3cm - 30.5cm
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Native To
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Western United States, Alaska, California, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
