Monday, April 28, 2014

Cypripedium fasciculatum


Cypripedium fasciculatum, the Clustered Lady's Slipper, is the smallest, the least showy and the rarest of our native Lady's Slippers.  The plant has two (sometimes three) broad, oval leaves but only stands 20 cm or less in height.  The cluster of flowers is on a nodding stem and the flower segments tend to droop as well, hiding the lip.  Occasionally one finds a flower that opens widely, but that is relatively uncommon.  There is a solid brownish-mahogany color form as well as a plain green, but the flowers are usually greenish marked with varying amounts of mahogany.  The first of these we found this season were unusual in having as many as six or seven flowers in a cluster.  Usually there are two to five flowers.

April 25 and 26
(Columbia River Gorge)














May 6
(Columbia River Gorge)















June 30
(Eastern Washington)







June 31
(Eastern Washington)



July 24
(South Cascades)





8 comments:

Andrew Lane Gibson said...

Lovely! Some may find them a bit homely but I can't wait to make this stunning species' acquaintance. Orchid season is juuust starting to open up here in Ohio.

Ron said...

I, too, think they are wonderful and their rarity makes them even more desirable. If you are ever out this way at the right time of the year (they bloom from now in the south until the beginning of June at higher elevations), I'd be happy to show them to you.

Upupaepops said...

wow those are stunningly exceptional!

Ron said...

This was the best patch of them I've seen. If you are down in the gorge at the right time I can let you know where they are. The hike we were on was a great new place for us, too, and one you'd really love.

Unknown said...

Wow! That seems quite early for Cypripedium. Seems like you too have an early season. Also: very nice pictures. I like how you manage to show the flowers (especially in 10/14). Something that seems complicated with C. fasciculatum. And I love that last one overview picture.

We have the earliest orchid year here that I remember, At least 20 species are already in bloom or done for this year. I made a big tour with my brother yesterday, where we found 16 species in bloom. Some of which 3-4 weeks before the usual start date. We also found Cypripedium (calceolus of course). I expected to find much less anyway. The much desired rain was kind of hard to bear though. I had to change clothes and shoes inbetween, because I was soaked to the bones.

Ron said...

It is early, Martin, but they are the earliest of the Cyps. to bloom and were photographed in the Columbia gorge at a low elevation and many miles to the south of us, and like you, we are having a very early spring. I had hope these would still be blooming at higher elevations when you come but that is very doubtful.

They are wonderful, aren't they? Interesting, too, that the pictures you liked best were all the ones taken by my wife. Puts me to shame. She does take good photos, though, and often gets the better of me.

Unknown said...

I love your photography! What trail did you see them on? I live in Ellensburg and would love to see them! Thanks and keep up the great work

Ron said...

These were photographed down near White Salmon in the Columbia River gorge, but if you are interested in joining one of our native orchid hikes we will be in the Leavenworth area for two days the end of the month. Here's the info:

The Next Field Trip: May (Friday) 30th and (Saturday) 31st will be based around the Leavenworth Area.
Friday May 30th: Full day. Mostly driving, multiple stops, some hiking involved.
Saturday May 31st: Half day. Hiking, easy to moderate.
Orchids: Cypripedium montanum, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Calypso bulbosa var occidentalis and Corallorhiza maculata.