Cypripedium fasciculatum Kellogg ex S. Watson
Brownie Lady's Slipper, Clustered Lady's Slipper
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Cypripedium knightae, Cypripedium pusillum
Cypripedium fasciculatum, the Clustered Lady's Slipper, is endemic to western North America and easily recognized by its drooping flowers clustered at the top of the stem. Flowers vary in color from greenish brown to purple to nearly red and the 2 rounded leaves that appear to be opposite are actually offset slightly midway up the densely hairy stem. The seed capsules are also hairy and as they mature, the stem straightens out, presenting the capsules in an erect position. This dwarf orchid grows in moist to dry, cool, open coniferous forests, often near stream banks on fairly steep slopes.
Cypripedium fasciculatum is apparently secure although vulnerable in parts of its range due to loss of habitat from logging.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by an undescribed female Diapriid wasp, Cinetus sp., in search of fungus gnats. These wasps use fungus gnat larvae or pupae as hosts and it has been theorized that the scent of this orchid mimics larval fungus gnats.
Ecosystem Type
Forests, shrublands or thickets, stream bank
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- opposite
- Number of leaves on stem:
- two
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
-
- blue to purple
- green to brown
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is saccate
- Labellum length:
- 8–15 mm
- Sepal length:
- 12–25 mm
- Plant height:
- 6–35 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |