DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 177 



great profusion through the whole season. It is raised 

 from cuttings, the same as the Verbena, and like that 

 plant, must be housed during the winter. All the Cu- 

 pheas, with which I am acquainted, are tender ; most suc- 

 ceed well as annuals, of which I have grown a number of 

 species, but believe, those who have seen the one described 

 above, and compare it with any other sorts introduced, 

 will be satisfied with that alone. C. Zimpanii is a pro- 

 fuse growing, spreading plant, with dark-purple flowers, 

 which wither soon under a hot sun, and, although very 

 pretty, not worth the trouble of raising. 



CYPRIPEDIUM.— Lady's Slipper. 



[From Greek words. Venus, and a slipper, an allusion to the elegant slipper- 

 like form of the labelluin.] 



Cypripedium acaule, differs from the other species in 

 having no stem leaves. The leaves are two, springing 

 from the root, large, oval-lanceolate, 23laited, and downy. 

 This is the most common species, sometimes called Two- 

 leaved Lady's Slipper, or Whip-poor-will's Shoe. It is 

 found in rich and somewhat shady woods. This singular 

 flower has its sepals and petals spreading, green with a pur- 

 ple tinge, except the petal which forms the lip, or purple 

 inflated bag, which is veined, A^illous, and longer than the 

 other parts of the flow^er. The flower stems are about one 

 foot high, bearing one solitary flower, in May and June. 



C. parvifloriim. — YellowLady's Slipper. — This is another 

 beautiful indigenous species, not very common about Bos- 

 ton, but found in some localities in this State, New Hamp- 

 shire and Vermont. The lip of this flower is oblong oval ; 

 yellow, dotted inside ; its aperture roundish with an in- 

 flexed margin ; stem erect ; leaves alternate, clasping, 

 oval, nerved, downy ; blooms in June. 

 8* 



