What species of ladyslippers have you seen and where?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I have a quick question...

Which species of Ladyslipper orchids (Cypripedium) -or- other native orchids have you seen in the wild in your lifetime?

I'd also like to know where... BUT I DO NOT WANT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS. If you respond, just say what park/forest you saw them at. If giving the park or forest away would disclose too much information that isn't already public record, just go ahead and leave the where part out. All of the locations I have posted are either sufficiently vague, or matters of public record, so use them as an example along with your best discretion. The last thing I want is to give plant pirates directions.

I've seen:
Cypripedium paviflorum var. Pubescens (Large Yellow) at Sipsey.
Cypripedium acaule (Pink) at DeSoto SP, Harriman SP in NY, and at Archbald Pothole SP in PA.
Cypripedium reginae (Showy) at Eshqua Bog, VT.

The reason I want to know is that I frequently hear people lament that they have never seen any of these native orchids while out hiking, so I'm somewhat curious to see how you heavy hikers fare.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I have a quick question...

so I'm somewhat curious to see how you heavy hikers fare.

Dude, did you just call me FAT!?

[Joshua Szulecki]

If so it is one heck of a case of the kettle calling the pot black.

[Rob]

Josh, The only Ladyslippers I've seen are the Pink ones we photographed at Desoto. When I lived in Florida (Naples), I saw many native orchids in my youth. The colonies I knew of then have been greatly reduced due to Urban sprawl and poaching. One of my most spectacular finds was an orchid referred to as a Ghost Orchid. It had a large white bloom (Multiple), and no real "plant" to speak of, only root like structures that clung to it's host, a large cypress. Most of the Florida orchids I've seen were epiphites, and a few ground dwellers. There were also numerous wild bromiliads, none of which were as spectacular as the ones you now see at the nurseries these days. Since I'm not a botanist I'll spare guessing their correct botanical names.

[Lesley]

Yellow Lady's-slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum (Cypripedium calceolus)

Clifty Creek area

Sipsey Wilderness