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Pink Lady's Slipper. Oypripedium acaule. 



Whip-poor-will. 



Found in the woods, frequently under evergreens, though some- 

 times in deciduous shade, during May. 



The slender flower-stem, from 8 to 12 inches in height, is bent like 

 a shepherd's crook, and bears on the curve a small, pointed, green leaf. 

 It is hairy, and light green. 



There are 2 root-leaves, large (from 5 to 7 inches long),' oval, with 

 a pointed tip, and a much clasping base ; the ribs are parallel, and 

 prominent, the margin is entire, the texture is loose, and somewhat 

 coarse, and the surface is hairy. Color, green. 



The lip of the flower is shaped like a large, hollow bag, slightly 

 puckered on its infolded margin ; the other petals are long, narrow, and 

 twist, or curl, on either side of the bag ; the calyx-parts are apparently 

 only 2 (though botanists consider the lower is composed of two parts 

 grown together), — they are placed above, and below the bag. The 

 petal-like pistil is pink; the bag — of a loose texture — is a crude 

 crimson-pink, inclining to violet, veined by many darker lines; the 

 other parts of the flower — of a thin texture and hairy — are colored a 

 dull reddish-brown, tinted with purple. The single flower hangs from 

 the end of the stem. 



In some localities pure white forms are frequently found, and 

 sometimes a single stem will bear two blossoms placed back to back. 

 A rank odor is observable, if the plant is rudely handled. 



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