Moccasin Flower

(Cypripedium acaule)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Moccasin Flower (Cypripedium acaule Ait.)

Identification: Flower primarily pink (rarely white). Lower 2 petals fused into a bulbous, hollow pouch (slipper), with a groove at the top. Top and lateral petals dark brown-red, elongate, pointed, the top petal hanging over. Top leaf modified as a hood over the top of the flower. Stem hairy. Plant with 2 large, ovate leaves at the base of the plant. Plant 6 to 15 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of eastern North America.

Habitat: Mocassin Flower is found in acid woods and bogs.

Flowering period: May to June.

Similar Species: The large, pink flower pouch and the thin, brown-red top and lateral petals are distinctive.

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