Cypripedium montanum
Cypripedium montanum is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. It is commonly known as large lady's slipper, mountain lady's slipper, white lady's slipper as well as moccasin flower. This latter is also the common name of Cypripedium acaule.
| Cypripedium montanum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cypripedioideae |
| Genus: | Cypripedium |
| Species: | C. montanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Cypripedium montanum Douglas ex Lindl. | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Cypripedium montanum grows to be up to 70 cm (30 in) tall. The stem has alternating, plicate leaves. Atop the stem sits one to three large flowers. The sepals and petals tend to be maroon-brown while the pouch is white. This species is a close ally of Cypripedium parviflorum, so they appear to be very similar with the main difference being pouch color.
Range
Cypripedium montanum can be found in the northwestern United States and western Canada. It is reported from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Alaska.[3][4] It is usually found at high elevation in open woods and subalpine slopes. Meriwether Lewis noted this species during his expedition while in Western Montana near Lolo Creek.[5]
References
- Cypripedium montanum, Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life, Version 6.1., 2006
- "Cypripedium montanum Douglas ex Lindl". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- US Department of Agriculture plants profile
- Biota of North America Program, county distribution map
- Schiemann, Donald Anthony. Wildflowers of Montana, page 168. Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2005.
- Phillip Cribb & Peter Green (1997). The Genus Cypripedium (a botanical monograph). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Timber Press ISBN 0-88192-403-2