OS 
NAT. ORDER. ORCHIDE.E. 
nectary, supports two lateral anthers on the inside, and ends in a 
broad, roundish, deflected, acute lobe, carinated on the inside." 
Genus Cypripedium, Ladies' Slipper, takes its name from kupris, 
Venus, and podion, a slipper, in allusion to the slipper-like form of 
the labellum, or principal segment of the flower, which is commonly 
called the nectary. The common species, Cypripedium calceolus, is 
a well-known garden plant. There are also several wild species 
growing in our woods ; and of these the Cypripedium humile is 
among the most beautiful and valuable. It grows in the distant 
woods, seldom being found near the habitations of man, from New 
England to Louisiana, but very rare in some places, while it is com- 
mon in the hills and swamps of New- York, the Highlands, Green 
and Catskill Mountains, and also in the glades and prairies of the 
Western States. 
This plant blossoms in May and June, and is much valued in 
gardens for its beauty and singularity ; but it is difficult to cultivate. 
For medical use it must be collected in the fall, or early in the spring, 
carefully dried, and reduced to powder. Rafinesque, in speaking of 
this plant, says that he has ascertained that there is but one species 
affording many varieties, some of which are the Cypripedium pubes- 
cens, entirely pubescent — even the flowers ; Cypripedium glabrum, 
nearly smooth ; Cypripedium grandijlorum, slightly pubescent, label- 
lum very large ; Cypripedium parviflorum, slightly pubescent, label- 
lum small ; Cypripedium macidatum, labellum more or less spotted 
with red dots, lobule often red ; Cypripedium biflorum, with two 
flowers and bracteas ; Cypripedium concolor, the whole flower yellow 
or yellowish, unspotted ; Cypripedium augustifolium, leaves and 
bracteas lanceolate. A multitude of intermediate varieties or devi- 
ations may be seen, with undulate or spiral sepals, obtuse or acute 
lobules, broader or narrower leaves, &c. 
Propagation and Culture. This curious plant seldom grows 
from seeds ; when transplanted, the roots must be taken up with the 
earth around them, and placed in a congenial rich light soil. 
