Lady’s slipper orchid  (Cypripedium calceolus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The lady's slipper orchid is Britain's rarest and most impressive orchid. The exotic looking flowers have claret petals that frame a beautiful bright yellow pouch (5). The specific name calceolus derives from the Latin for 'shoe' (6), and like the English name of this orchid, refers to the slipper-like appearance of the pouch. Each stem usually supports one or two flowers, but rarely three (2). The leaves have obvious nerves along their length and are mid-green in colour (2).

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