Monday, July 13, 2015

Eighteenth Orchid of the Season


Known both as the Sparrow's-egg Lady's Slipper and as Franklin's Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium passerinum is not found in Washington but is common further north.  We found these along the Richardson Highway to Valdez, Alaska.  They were near the end of their blooming season, but we found enough fresh flowers for photographs.  The species can grow to 60 cm tall but these were much shorter, less than 30 cm and growing in the open on the roadside.  There was one plant with two flowers, the flowers faded, but ordinarily the tiny flowers are found just one per flower spike.











4 comments:

Thelma said...

A lovely white orchid. Well photographed.
I posted a pic of the yellow Lady's slipper in this region,
on my recent blog. I have transplanted some in my flower garden around 5 yrs. ago.
Unfortunately I cannot take close up pic like you do.
I need more technique and a better camera.
Take care, Thelma..

Ron said...

Thanks for commenting, Thel. I'm eager to see your photo. My pictures are taken with a macro lens and a tripod.

klaraau01 said...

Thank you, it's a treat to see them growing

Ron said...

Thank you ever so much for the kind comments.