Cypripedium arietinum

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Ram's-Head Lady's-Slipper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Genus: Cypripedium Species: C. arietinum
Binomial name
Cypripedium arietinum R.Br.

The rare Ram's-Head Lady's-Slipper, Cypripedium arietinum, is an orchid that is native to the alvars around the Great Lakes in North America.

The plant grows to 10-40 cm (4-16 in), and the flowers may reach 1-2 cm (0.5-0.75 in). It flowers from May to June, producing brownish-green flowers with a pink and white lip.

The Ram's-Head Lady's-Slipper is difficult to cultivate, and rarely survives transplantation to a garden from the wild.

[edit] Conservation

Uncommon in Ontario, rare in Manitoba, the Ram's-Head Lady's-Slipper is a threatened plant species in many areas within its range, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Saskatchewan. It is believed to be extirpated in Connecticut.

This flower has now been listed as an endangered species in Nova Scotia ( http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=70212&sc=89 )