Cypripedium guttatum Sw.

Spotted Lady's Slipper

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Cypripedium bouffordianum, Cypripedium calceolus var. variegatum, Cypripedium orientale, Cypripedium variegatum

Cypripedium guttatum, commonly known as the Spotted Lady's Slipper, is widely distributed across Asia and found in Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, where it grows in moist to dry open deciduous and spruce forests, slopes and banks, tundra, and meadows. This distinctive orchid has a flower with purple spots and blotches on the sepals, petals and pouch-like labellum. C. × alaskanum has flowers with splotches of yellow-brown, and is recognized as a hybrid between C. guttatum and C. yatabeanum. This natural hybrid is found on the Alaska Peninsula and in coastal southcentral Alaskan bogs.

Cypripedium guttatum is considered globally secure.

Pollination

Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported in North America but in other parts of it range this orchid is pollinated by various Lasioglossum bees. This orchid forms a natural hybrid, C. × alaskanum, with Cypripedium yatabeanum, which suggests these two species share a common insect pollinator on the Alaska Peninsula and in coastal southcentral Alaskan bogs.

Ecosystem Type

Alpine or subalpine zones, cliffs balds or ledges, floodplains, forests, meadows, tundra, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
alternate
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
  • white
Nectar spur:
absent
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence has one flower or a pair of flowers
Labellum characteristics:
  • the labellum is saccate
  • the labellum is simple
Labellum length:
15–30 mm
Sepal length:
12–28 mm
Plant height:
12–35 cm
Show All Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution

Conservation Status

Select a location to view conservation status:

Conservation and Wetland Status
Global Rank Secure
US Status N/A
Canadian Status Secure

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data