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Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium spp.)

Yellow Lady's Slipper | Boundary Waters Region | Photo Credit: Alissa Sinclair | View Enlarged Image

The Yellow Lady's Slipper shown above is a close cousin of the Showy Lady's Slipper, Minnesota's state flower. The Lady Slipper is named for the slipper or moccassin-shaped yellow pouch formed by its lower cluster of petals. This pouch attracts insects through the top, but only allows them to exit through the rear, where they collect pollen.

All Lady's Slippers are a member of the orchid family, and most are protected by state or federal law. Their shoe or moccasin-like appearance has led to a lot of amusing common names, including Squirrel Shoes. They can be grow in the damp soil of forests and coniferous swamps, and are most common in Canada and Northern Minnesota.

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