NORTHERN LADYSLIPPER 



Cyfripedium passerinum Richardson 



We had made numerous visits to the Canadian Rockies without hav- 

 ing seen this beautiful ladyslipper, but one midsummer day, after ford- 

 ing a rushing mountain torrent, we came upon it suddenly. It was 

 crowded among other plants, and seemed to prefer a moist situation 

 with some sunshine. Elsewhere in the mountains we have since found 

 it on the shores of lakes or streams, but usually in sheltered situations. 

 In some places rich leafmold encouraged more vigorous growth, and 

 the plants were in clumps eighteen inches in height, with a profusion 

 of the modest slipper- shaped flowers. The old seed pods of the previ- 

 ous season indicated natures prodigality in providing abundant seeds. 



This orchid is distributed from Ontario to Alberta and British Co- 

 lumbia and northward to Alaska. 



The specimen sketched grew at Healy Creek, near Banff, Alberta, at 

 an altitude of 4,700 feet. 



plate 91 



