Cypripedium calceolus
Encyclopedia
Cypripedium calceolus is a lady's-slipper orchid
, and the type species
of the genus Cypripedium
.
It is a widespread plant worldwide, found from Europe east through Asia to the Pacific Ocean. It is found in open woodland on moist calcareous soils. It is found in continental Europe growing in the decomposed humus of semi-shaded woodland cover on limestone. It has declined over much of the Europe
an part of its range, and as a result is legally protected in a number of countries.
In Britain it was formerly a reasonably widespread plant across northern England, particularly the limestone area of the Yorkshire Dales
. By the late 20th century it had declined to just a single plant in one location in the dales. While the virtual extinction of the Lady's-slipper orchid from its historical range in Britain is often blamed on uprooting by gardeners and botanists, it is also the case that its preferred habitat shrunk markedly with human clearance of woodland from the limestone landscape, and the grazing of sheep will have finished it off. A reintroduction program for the Lady’s-slipper orchid is in place, and has led to a population of hundreds of plants as of 2003.
The Norwegian municipality of Snåsa
has a Cypripedium calceolus in its coat-of-arms.
In Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov
's "In the Forests", a znakharka (Russian wise woman) calls this Adam's head, Adam's grass, and Cuckoo's slippers and says it's good for every ill including driving away evil spirits.
Cypripedium calceolus sensu stricto ("in the strict sense") does not occur in North America. The closely related Cypripedium parviflorum
and C. pubescens
are often still referred to as subspecies or variety of C. calceolus.
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
, and the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
of the genus Cypripedium
Cypripedium
Cypripedium is a genus of 47 species of lady's-slipper orchids native to temperate and colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere.Some grow in the tundra in Alaska and Siberia, which is an unusually cold habitat for orchids. They can withstand extreme cold, growing under the snow and blooming when...
.
It is a widespread plant worldwide, found from Europe east through Asia to the Pacific Ocean. It is found in open woodland on moist calcareous soils. It is found in continental Europe growing in the decomposed humus of semi-shaded woodland cover on limestone. It has declined over much of the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an part of its range, and as a result is legally protected in a number of countries.
In Britain it was formerly a reasonably widespread plant across northern England, particularly the limestone area of the Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is the name given to an upland area in Northern England.The area lies within the historic county boundaries of Yorkshire, though it spans the ceremonial counties of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Cumbria...
. By the late 20th century it had declined to just a single plant in one location in the dales. While the virtual extinction of the Lady's-slipper orchid from its historical range in Britain is often blamed on uprooting by gardeners and botanists, it is also the case that its preferred habitat shrunk markedly with human clearance of woodland from the limestone landscape, and the grazing of sheep will have finished it off. A reintroduction program for the Lady’s-slipper orchid is in place, and has led to a population of hundreds of plants as of 2003.
The Norwegian municipality of Snåsa
Snåsa
Snåsa is a municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Innherred region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Snåsa. Other villages include Agle and Jørstad....
has a Cypripedium calceolus in its coat-of-arms.
In Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov
Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov
Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov was a Russian writer, known for his opera magna In the Forests and On the Hills, which describe the unique life of Transvolga and its dialects....
's "In the Forests", a znakharka (Russian wise woman) calls this Adam's head, Adam's grass, and Cuckoo's slippers and says it's good for every ill including driving away evil spirits.
Cypripedium calceolus sensu stricto ("in the strict sense") does not occur in North America. The closely related Cypripedium parviflorum
Cypripedium parviflorum
Cypripedium parviflorum, commonly known as Yellow Lady's Slipper or Mocassin Flower is a Lady's Slipper orchid found in North America.-External links:* * , Digital Flora of Newfoundland and Labrador...
and C. pubescens
Cypripedium pubescens
Cypripedium pubescens is a yellow lady's-slipper orchid native to northern North America....
are often still referred to as subspecies or variety of C. calceolus.