Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Greater Yellow Lady's-slipper)
| Also known as: | Large Yellow Lady's Slipper |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Cypripedium |
| Family: | Orchidaceae (Orchid) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | shade, sun; moist rich woods, bogs, swamps |
| Bloom season: | May - July |
| Plant height: | 8 to 30 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACW MW: FACW NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/yellow-ladys-slipper_0523_135655.jpg)
Flower is irregular with a yellow pouch-shaped lower lip up to 2 inches long and a V-shaped column above the mouth of the pouch. The column and rim of the mouth are usually covered in reddish spots or stripes and there may be faint stripes on the sides and bottom of the pouch. Lateral petals are narrow, up to 2 inches long, typically spirally twisted, typically greenish to yellowish and flecked with purplish striping. Sepals are similar in color, 2 are fused behind the lip; upper sepal is broader and is erect above the lip. A single leaf-like, sparsely hairy floral bract stands erect at the top of the stem, behind the ovary. A plant typically has a single flower, occasionally 2.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/yellow-ladys-slipper_0523_140051.jpg)
3 to 6 leaves are alternately attached up the stem. Leaves are up to 7 inches long and 4 inches wide, generally oval, toothless, pointed at the tip, tapering towards the base, clasping the main stem. There are many deep parallel veins that give it a striped look. The leaves and stem of young plants are noticeably hairy but may become less so with age.
Fruit:
Fruit is an oblong-elliptic capsule containing numerous tiny seeds.
Notes:
This is the most common wild orchid in the U.S. and is found in almost every state. There are 3 accepted varieties of Yellow Lady's Slipper, 2 of which are found in Minnesota: Greater Yellow Lady's Slipper (var. pubescens) and Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (var. makasin). The flower pouch of Small is only up to about 1 inch long, the petals are usually darker in color and more twisted than the Greater variety, but the Greater variety can be variable in these things depending on environmental conditions. All 3 sub-species (including var. parviflorum) go by mulitple variations on their scientific names. At one time these North American orchids were considered the same as the European species (Cypripedium calceolus) but not any longer.
Where Cypripedium candidum (Small White Lady's-slipper) and C. parviflorum (either or both vars) are in close proximity to each other, such as the edge where prairie meets forest, hybrids are likely to occur; the hybrid between C. candidum and C. parviflorum var. makasin is known as C. ×andrewsii. According to Welby Smith's book “Native Orchids of Minnesota”, the hybrids can be baffling, most with intermediate characteristics in flower size and color, but some with different traits of each parent. In each case, the flower color may be white, creamy or yellow. It also mentions a study in Iowa showed hybridization was more common than previously thought, the hybrids cross-breeding between themselves and their parents, known as a hybrid swarm.
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More photos
Greater Yellow Lady's Slipper plant, about 18 inches tall
a flower just starting to bloom
more plants
Cypripedium candidum, C. parviflorum, and hybrid C. X andrewsii
Greater Yellow Lady's Slipper plant, about 18 inches tall
a flower just starting to bloom
more plants
Cypripedium candidum, C. parviflorum, and hybrid C. X andrewsiiPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN May 2009. Photo by Derek Anderson taken in Mahnomen County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2011-05-28 20:47:57
Took photos of this yellow orchid today growing in the wild in southern MN
on: 2011-06-01 00:45:04
There are some currently blooming off of the Red Jacket Trail near Mankato. Someone had mentioned they counted 55 blooming! I noticed that a couple had double flowers...be careful not to step on them, someone must have slipped in the mud and smashed a couple of them :(
on: 2011-06-21 06:16:48
I have the small and Greater Yellow Lady Slipper blooming along my drive way. The Greater Yellow Lady Slipper is currently blooming its heart out as the shoulder of the road is fill with the blooming Slippers.
on: 2012-05-06 19:58:35
There are several dozen blooming along the Red Jacket Trail by the LeSueur River. Beautiful flowers!
on: 2012-05-19 14:42:54
Anyone know where I can purchase legally acquired yellow lady slipper plants or seeds near Mankato? Thanks much.
on: 2012-05-19 16:27:59
To anyone interested in growing orchids, I suggest reading this article about the trouble with orchids at Landscape Alternatives.
on: 2012-06-04 06:28:13
Saw many Yellow Lady Slippers this morning on my walk. These plants are highly reliable and I always see them flowering around the first week of june. They seem to have a short window of bloom, only lasting for about two weeks. I see hundreds in the same spot every year and have to quickly notify my spouse to get her camera. They seem to be expanding within the cedars. I have yet to find the elusive "Showy Pink Lady Slipper". If you can find one on the north shore (Two Harbors and beyond), I'd love to see one. Enjoy the Spring!
Dave
on: 2013-06-22 20:21:24
Seen many Yellow Lady Slippers while mowing and along side the trails at the golf course. Also looked for the state flower but the pink ones where now where in sight yet.
on: 2014-04-24 21:28:29
I would love to plant the Lady Slipper in my garden. How can I buy them?
on: 2014-05-20 15:03:30
I have found these flowers growing in road ditches near lake Mille Lacs and in rural road ditches near Glenwood, MN.
on: 2014-05-31 19:05:57
We have these in our woods in Garfield ( by Alexandria). They are so beautiful but you've got to be willing to brave the mosquitoes!!!
on: 2014-06-09 10:08:31
Took pictures of these beautiful flowers this weekend. (June 5-8, 2014) In full bloom at Itasca State Park.
on: 2014-06-14 19:23:59
The yellow lady slippers are in bloom at itasca state park in northern minnesota! Gorgeous!!
on: 2014-06-17 08:55:56
I took a picture of these when visiting the Mississippi Headwaters along the walking path.
on: 2014-06-28 16:32:18
Both Greater and lesser Yellow Lady Slipper week ending 06-14-14. W/E 06-28-014 Pink Lady Slipper.
on: 2014-09-03 13:36:32
I was surprised to find one of these growing in my backyard this year. It was only a single though; I searched for a cluster but found nothing more.
on: 2015-01-22 09:53:02
While driving a back road near Lake Winnibigoshish we saw literally hundreds of these blooming in the road ditch and up into the woods. I took a photo of one clump that has approx 28 blossoms. Incredible and beautiful.
on: 2015-05-31 14:19:11
Seen 5-30-15 @ Sibley State Park
on: 2015-06-05 04:57:48
I have over thirty yelliw lady slipper orchids growing in our woods...,some are at rusk of trampling from horses... Is it legal to dig up and can i sell them??
on: 2015-06-05 17:42:55
Heidi, see MN Statute 18H.18
on: 2015-06-06 12:51:21
Saw a field of Yellow Lady Slippers it Jay Cooke today!
on: 2015-06-08 22:04:28
These have been blooming all over in the wooded areas by lake Melissa. They peek out like a little sunshine in the overgrowth Does any one know do they spread? Is the flower head sead? I would love to see more of them
on: 2016-04-13 07:15:28
I have never seen the yellow ones in person only the pink, As a child I vividly remember my late grandparents living where they were at, it was a joy every year seeing the flowers blooming under the massive white pines on a very steep hill. Pink lady slippers mind you,not yellow. We are blessed to live on a planet with such diversity but as the population of this nation grows it will be harder and harder to save species. This is not "fear talk" but reality. Unfortunately years later the huge white pine trees were cut down for the timber and large roads were shoved through where the flowers had been. A sickening clearing of chopped mess brightened by the sun. As I walked, the sight worsened. I hung my head and angry tears went down. (The land wasn't owned by my grandparents after all). People, cherish what you have and never take any of it for granted! We MUST take our concerns to younger generations & get them motivated or all will be lost... just my thoughts!
on: 2016-05-10 18:50:16
Skunked again looking for morels. However, came across yellow lady slippers. I have seen showy lady slippers in Northern Minnesota and had heard rumors of yellow lady slippers in Southern Minnesota. This discovery made the fact that I didn't find any morels all ok!
on: 2016-05-28 16:44:38
Found a bunch last weekend 50 plus.
on: 2016-06-12 08:13:58
One week ago just outside the Kabetogama Visitors Center there were several patches of the "small" yellow variety, in the next couple weeks there will be many "showy" as there is an annual weekend festival celebrating the state's wildflower!
on: 2016-06-14 11:52:20
Jay Cooke State park is over run with Yellow Lady's-slipper. The trails beginning at the park office across the Swinging Bridge will lead to patches. My favorite is the High Trail which begins off Highway 23. Near the lookout at the end of this trail the splash of yellow is breathtaking. This is about a 2 to 3 mile hike in. But individual small stands are usually found along the entire trail. I photographed them 10 days ago June 2, so the season may be ending. The trail off Beck's Road in Duluth to the old DW&P railroad grade and tunnel has some nice patches.
on: 2017-05-14 21:58:16
Anyone looking for the state flower Lady Slipper has to look fast when they are blooming. They are there one day gone the next. Deer love them and snip the heads right off.
on: 2017-05-21 19:21:59
First time I've seen these lovely flowers-- Greater Yellow Lady Slippers. Many in the rain-soaked woods in this park.
on: 2017-05-29 21:21:39
Many of these beautiful orchids along Hwy 8 on the east side of Leech Lake.
on: 2017-05-30 09:37:18
I believe I found a single example of the yellow Small Lady Slipper (var. makasin) along a road near a lake in northern Cass. I'm going back to measure the slipper portion of the blossom, which I estimated at 1-1.5 inches.
on: 2017-06-03 21:45:43
We camp here in Mentor, Which is in Polk County. As we were taking a tootle on our golf cart, came across a small patch of Small Yellow Lady Slippers. Maybe 30-40 of them. Pretty cool!
on: 2017-06-18 20:31:07
Took pictures of them last Wednesday, June 14, at the boat landing behind Douglas Lodge.
on: 2017-06-19 09:14:46
Found and photographed one blooming just outside of Duluth on the North Shore of Lake Superior on 6/18/17.
on: 2017-06-20 10:38:28
If you look at the national distribution map for this flower you will notice distinctly that it is rare in all WI and IL counties while being "not rare" in all bordering MN and MI counties. Is there some kind of reporting bias between states as to what is considered rare or not rare?
on: 2017-06-20 15:30:55
Timothy, I imagine there are biases but each state has its own program. Maybe WI and IL treat orchids differently than other species, but we know that ND has NO special treatment for any plants except trees, because they are all pretty uncommon there.
on: 2017-06-25 18:46:19
You can't throw a dead cat in the woods near Bemidji without hitting a Greater yellow lady's slipper. There are small yellows too, but not as numerous.
on: 2017-08-16 19:44:16
For people looking to buy Lady's Slipper orchids legally, this outfit sells seed grown plants: http://www.ladyslipperfarm.com/
on: 2018-05-30 18:52:55
My daughter and I seen at least a couple dozen of these little beauties today near Kensington,mn. Took pictures of a few.
on: 2018-06-03 19:38:15
We've traveled a lot of trails around here and only found them (large yellow lady slipper) on 1 trail. Can I harvest the seeds, and how is that done.
on: 2018-06-03 20:30:13
Brenda, state law forbids harvesting wild orchids (even the seeds) without the landowner's permission. If it's public land that would be the city, county or state, and I can guarantee they will not allow it.
on: 2018-06-05 14:52:55
Growing right along the road heading South after the CCC Robideau camp
on: 2018-06-07 12:48:16
So lovely, first time my children and I have seen this beautiful flower in nature.
on: 2018-06-09 18:05:44
Seen them for the first time on the Superior Hiking trail west of Beck's road in West Duluth. Very beautiful!
on: 2019-06-10 19:12:35
Saw several groupings of them along the knoll loop along the side of the road.
on: 2019-06-14 07:20:21
We have a couple plants under a spruce near the end of our driveway. Blooming a little late this year.
on: 2020-05-25 13:54:25
In the ditches, visible from the road
on: 2020-05-27 21:50:26
Daughter found several Greater Yellow Lady Slipper flowers in bloom on our property near Staples, MN. They're intermingled with a couple other flowers (not orchid species) in an area of the property that is largely left alone. Interesting to see and learn about them!
on: 2020-06-01 12:51:35
I have a group and get about 8 flowers a year from a group in my yard in Red Wing. They have always been here since I moved in. I also have seen it on the bluffs near the Prairie Island Indian community.
on: 2020-06-07 03:02:29
Near the swinging bridge
on: 2022-07-16 19:34:30
I saw one this year on our restored tallgrass prairie, established in 1993.