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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Cypripedium californicum

Cypripedium californicum A. Gray

California Lady's Slipper

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CYCA4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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 Lady's 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 flower's moccasin-like lip petal.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Southwestern Oregon and northern California.
Native Habitat: Along streams and seeps in open shade.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			OBL							OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

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: 2023-04-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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