Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes

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Showy Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium reginae		  
Family Orchid  (Orchidaceae)
Bloom Late Spring, Early Summer
Habitat Wet, Sun, Swamps, Moist Woods, Slow-moving Streams
Status Native  Protected Michigan Wildflower Do not Disturb!
Cycle Perennial
Height 1-3'
Flower Flower is a pink and white ball-shaped pouch surmounted with widespreading white sepals and petals.  There may be up to 3 flowers on separate flowerstalks on a single stem.
Leaf Leaves are on the full length of the stem.  They alternate and are broad with veins running parallel and prominent. The bases clasp the stem.
Notes The Showy Lady's Slipper is the largest and most impressive of the orchids found in Michigan.  It should never be handled or dug up.  This long-lived plant takes up to 15 years to mature and form flowers.  Some people get Poison-Ivy like rash from touching the stems or leaves.
 

 

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