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Native Plant Database

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Cypripedium californicum (California lady's slipper)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Cypripedium californicum Gray

California lady's slipper

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

USDA Symbol: CYCA4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

1 bilaterally symmetrical, yellow-green flower with a white pouch in each upper leaf axil of unbranched, clumped stems; 3-10 flowers per plant.

This is one of the most charming ladys slippers, often having many flowers all turned in the same direction and seeming to peer from cool hideaways among maidenhair ferns, Salal (Gaultheria shallon), Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale), and Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa). The genus name derives from the Greek Kypris (Venus) and pes (foot), referring to the flowers moccasin-like lip petal.

 

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Southwestern Oregon and northern California.
Native Habitat: Along streams and seeps in open shade.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cypripedium californicum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cypripedium californicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cypripedium californicum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-11-11
Research By: TWC Staff

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