No native wildflowers elicit as many inquiries as the lady’s-slipper orchids. Nova Scotia has four species and all but one are on the conservation lists as species-at-risk.
The common moccasin flower or Pink Lady’s-slipper is found throughout the province in the coniferous forests. It tolerates more acidic soils than the others. Its colour ranges from pure white to deep maroon or magenta colours. The anthocyanins are unstable pigments, giving this array of colour. Sometimes it is found in small clumps, but each plant produces only one flower. Prince Edward Island has designated this wildflower as there provincial emblem.
The Ram’s-head Lady’s-slipper is found in Hants County and Cumberland Co. Preferring alkaline soils, it is limited to shady locations within the gypsum regions. The smallest of these native orchids, it is the most limited in range here. Its white slippers are mottled or veined with purple. Viewed side on, its little profile resembles the shape of a ram’s head. This little plant tends to be colonial where found. The population in NS may be threatened due to low numbers and habitat pressures.
The Yellow Lady’s-slipper is found in Kings and Hants Counties and also northward to Cape Breton. A more robust and leafy plant than the previous two species, its multiple bright yellow flowers in July are highly visible. We have two subspecies of this wild orchid, with one ranging from Digby Co. to Antigonish and Victoria Co. It is considered to be under threat largely due to small numbers and habitat destruction.
Showy Lady’s-slippers are probably our most beautiful wildflower, their flowers appearing atop leafy stems in July. Preferring alkaline swamps this species ranges from Hants and Colchester counties to northern Cape Breton. It may also be at-risk.
One of the most common questions I receive about these wildflowers, is ‘can I pick them’? The answer is no, on several levels. Some people have reported that a contact dermatitis can occur by handling any of them. From a conservation perspective, it is unethical to destroy any plant that has an -at-risk or potentially at-risk status. Especially this is true amongst the orchids. Their seeds contain no endosperm and are like dust. Successful germination requires soil mycorrhizae to assist with nutrition of the seedling. Moccasin Flower plants produce only 1 flower. By picking it, you are removing its success at setting seed for subsequent years. From germination to flowering and producing seed can take years. We closely monitor the populations of our three lady’s-lipper species with legal status.
The second most frequently asked question about lady’s-slippers is "where can I go and see them"? "I just want to photograph them". We do not give out precise locality information on species-at-risk, based on a sustainable approach to protection. For more information on species at-risk in Nova Scotia, please visit http://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiversity/
The common moccasin flower or Pink Lady’s-slipper is found throughout the province in the coniferous forests. It tolerates more acidic soils than the others. Its colour ranges from pure white to deep maroon or magenta colours. The anthocyanins are unstable pigments, giving this array of colour. Sometimes it is found in small clumps, but each plant produces only one flower. Prince Edward Island has designated this wildflower as there provincial emblem.
The Ram’s-head Lady’s-slipper is found in Hants County and Cumberland Co. Preferring alkaline soils, it is limited to shady locations within the gypsum regions. The smallest of these native orchids, it is the most limited in range here. Its white slippers are mottled or veined with purple. Viewed side on, its little profile resembles the shape of a ram’s head. This little plant tends to be colonial where found. The population in NS may be threatened due to low numbers and habitat pressures.
The Yellow Lady’s-slipper is found in Kings and Hants Counties and also northward to Cape Breton. A more robust and leafy plant than the previous two species, its multiple bright yellow flowers in July are highly visible. We have two subspecies of this wild orchid, with one ranging from Digby Co. to Antigonish and Victoria Co. It is considered to be under threat largely due to small numbers and habitat destruction.
Showy Lady’s-slippers are probably our most beautiful wildflower, their flowers appearing atop leafy stems in July. Preferring alkaline swamps this species ranges from Hants and Colchester counties to northern Cape Breton. It may also be at-risk.
One of the most common questions I receive about these wildflowers, is ‘can I pick them’? The answer is no, on several levels. Some people have reported that a contact dermatitis can occur by handling any of them. From a conservation perspective, it is unethical to destroy any plant that has an -at-risk or potentially at-risk status. Especially this is true amongst the orchids. Their seeds contain no endosperm and are like dust. Successful germination requires soil mycorrhizae to assist with nutrition of the seedling. Moccasin Flower plants produce only 1 flower. By picking it, you are removing its success at setting seed for subsequent years. From germination to flowering and producing seed can take years. We closely monitor the populations of our three lady’s-lipper species with legal status.
The second most frequently asked question about lady’s-slippers is "where can I go and see them"? "I just want to photograph them". We do not give out precise locality information on species-at-risk, based on a sustainable approach to protection. For more information on species at-risk in Nova Scotia, please visit http://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiversity/
Moccasin Flower, Cypripedium acaule, photo by Martin Thomas
Ram's-head Lady's-slipper, Cypripedium arietinum
Yellow Lady's-slipper, Cypripedium calceolus, photo by Martin Thomas
Showy Lady's-slipper, C. reginae, photo by Martin Thomas
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