MOCCASIN FLOWER. PINK, OR STEMLESS 

 LADY'S SLIPPER 



Cypripedium acaule. Orchid Family. 



/CYPRIPEDIUM is the Greek name for Venus's 

 ^^ slipper, and it has been given to this remark- 

 able family, which forms the most showy and loveliest 

 group of our native Orchids. How cleverly they repre- 

 sent Nature's floral tribute to the memory of Hiawa- 

 tha's clan the American Indian! They are easily 

 identified by the large, inflated, pouch-shaped lip, the 

 colour of which also indicates the species. The ex- 

 quisite Moccasin Flower is the largest flowered of them 

 all. It grows from six to twelve inches high, in deep, 

 sandy, or rocky woods during May and June. It is the 

 state flower of Minnesota. Two large, thick, pointed 

 oval, slightly hairy and many ribbed leaves, clasping at 

 the base, spring from a tufted, thick-fibred root. A 

 long, slender flower stem rises from between the leaves 

 and bears a small, green leaflet near its curved top. 

 The flower, with its lip curiously developed into a large, 

 hollow pouch, hangs from the top of the stem like a 

 shepherd's crook. This pouch, which suggests some- 

 what the shape of a peanut, is slit at the top and its 

 edges are folded inward. Its prevailing colour is 

 pink, or occasionally white, with a fine network of 

 delicate purple veinings. The upper portion of its 

 interior surface is covered with long white hairs, 



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