Syn.: Cypripedilum calceolus (L.) Rouy
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: Europe and Temperate Asia.
Ecology: Grows scattered in deciduous woods, in bushes and forest edges, on calcareous soils, from lowlands to mountains.
Description: Perennial herb, 20–45 cm high, with erect stem. The leaves are alternate, ovate, to 18 cm long. The flowers are solitary (rarely 2–3), sepals and petals maroon-brown, the petals twisted, lip bright yellow. Flowers from May to June. The fruit is a capsule.
Endangering and Protection: The Lady’s Slipper Orchid is a protected plant in some countries (A, BY, CH, CZ, D, GB, I, LT, LV, PL, RU, SLO, SK, UA). This species is simultaneously protected by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Note: This species is very attractive – the classical symbol of endangered nature.
Photos: from 5. 4. to 24. 5. 2003 and 27. 5. 2005 (Czechia, Moravia, Bílé Karpaty-Porážky and Strabišov-Oulehla).
