Cypripedium calceolus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iCypripedium calceolus

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: Cypripedium
Species: C. calceolus
Binomial name
Cypripedium calceolus
L.

Cypripedium calceolus is a Lady's Slipper orchid.

It is a widespread plant worldwide, found from Europe east through Asia to the Pacific Ocean. It is found in open woodland on moist calcareous soils. It has declined over much of the European part of its range, and as a result is legally protected in a number of countries.

In Britain it was formerly a reasonably widespread plant across northern England; however, by the late 20th century, it had declined to just a single population at Grass Wood in Wharfedale, Yorkshire.