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Native Plant Database

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Cypripedium acaule (Moccasin flower)
Sherman, Doug

Cypripedium acaule Ait.

Moccasin flower, Pink lady's slipper

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

USDA Symbol: CYAC3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A leafless stalk bears 1 flower (rarely 2) with a distinctive pink, inflated, slipper-like lip petal, veined with red and with a fissure down the front.

This is one of the largest native Orchids and is found both in low, sandy woods and in higher, rocky woods of mountains. At times several hundred of these striking flowers can be counted within a small area. Nevertheless, like other woodland wildflowers it should not be picked. These Orchids propagate poorly and are very difficult to grow in wildflower gardens. The genus name derives from the Latin for Venus slipper.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , SK
Native Distribution: Saskatchewan to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia; south to South Carolina and Georgia; west to Alabama and Tennessee; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Dry forests, especially pine woods; often in humus mats covering rock outcrops; occasionally in moist woods.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Sandy

Benefit

Use Medicinal: Sedative and nerve medicine, cure for insomnia, teaspoon of powdered root in sugar-water. (Weiner)
Warning: The plants of the genus Cypripedium have glandular hairs on the leaves and stems that can cause a rash, similar to poison ivy rash, upon contact. POISONOUS PARTS: Glandular, irritating hairs on leaves. Symptoms include skin irritation after contact. Toxic Principle: Unidentified.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 1207 - Earth Medicine, Earth Food (1990) Michael A. Weiner

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From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1990 VOL. 7, NO.4 - Research Update, Wild-Collecting Endangers Natives, Director's Report, Maryland ...
Wildflower Newsletter 1992 VOL. 9, NO.6 - Architectural Plans for new Facility Taking Shape, Native Plants Provide Local C...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cypripedium acaule in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cypripedium acaule in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cypripedium acaule

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-09-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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