- lady's slipper
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Any member of several genera of orchids in which the lip of the flower is slipper-shaped.The genus Cypripedium has about 50 temperate and subtropical species. Two well-known species, the yellow lady's slipper (C. calceolus) and the pink lady's slipper, or moccasin flower (C. acaule), are found in temperate coniferous woods in early spring. Other genera include Phragmipedium and Selenipedium of the New World tropics, and the tropical Asian Paphiopedilum. Many hybrids have been developed.Lady's slipper (Cypripedium)Grant Heilman
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▪ plantany member of several genera of orchids, family Orchidaceae, in which the lip of the flower is slipper-shaped. The genus Cypripedium has about 50 temperate and subtropical species. One well-known species is the yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus); another is the pink lady's slipper (C. acaule), also known as the moccasin flower. Most species have one or two flowers on a stem about 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) tall.About 16 species of lady's slippers constitute the genus Phragmipedium. They are narrow-leaved plants native to tropical America. One to six flowers with ribbonlike petals are borne on a stalk nearly 90 cm tall. The six species in the genus Selenipedium, also native to tropical America, may be 5 m (16 feet) tall. The leaves are folded, and the flowers are borne on a spike at the tip of the plant. Species of Paphiopedilum, a genus of 62 tropical Asian lady's slippers, have mottled or greenish leaves with a leathery texture and large, waxy flowers of various colours. Many hybrids have been developed.* * *
Universalium. 2010.