Cypripedium reginae

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Cypripedium reginae
Cypripedium reginae Orchi 004.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Cypripedioideae
Genus: Cypripedium
Species:
C. reginae
Binomial name
Cypripedium reginae
Synonyms [2]
  • Cypripedium albumAiton
  • Cypripedium spectabileSalisb.
  • Cypripedium canadenseMichx.
  • Calceolus reginae(Walter) Nieuwl.
  • Cypripedium hirsutum f. albumR.Hoffm.

Cypripedium reginae, known as the showy lady's slipper, pink-and-white lady's-slipper, or the queen's lady's-slipper, is a rare lady's-slipper orchid native to northern North America. Although never common, this plant has vanished from much of its historical range due to habitat loss. [3] It is the state flower of Minnesota. [4]

Contents

Etymology

The species name reginae is Latin for "of a queen". Common names also include fairy queen, white wing moccasin, royal lady's slipper, and silver-slipper. [5]

Description

Like other lady's slipper orchids (subfamily Cypripedioideae) the Cypripedium reginae has flowers with a pouch-shaped labellum. Cypripedium reginae is a large, terrestrial orchid, growing 21–100 cm (0.7–3 ft) in height with many stems from the same rootstock. [6] [7] Each stem has three to five alternate, pubescent leaves. Each ovately shaped leaf grows up to 25 cm (10 in) long and 16 cm (6 in) broad. Flowering stems one to three large, white and pink flowers. The upper petals are white, up to 4 cm (2 in) in length and 1.5 cm (0.59 in) across. The pouch-shaped labellum is rose-pink to magenta 2.5–5.5 cm (0.98–2.17 in) in length. [6] [7]

Despite producing a large amount of seeds per seed pod, it reproduces largely by vegetative reproduction. [8]

Habitat

In a forested fen in Williamstown, Massachusetts Showy Lady's Slipper.jpg
In a forested fen in Williamstown, Massachusetts

Cypripedium reginae grows in wetlands such as fens, wooded swamps, and riverbanks. [7] Cyp. reginae thrives in neutral to basic soils but can be found in slightly acidic conditions. The plants often form in clumps by branching of the underground rhizomes. Its roots are typically within a few inches of the top of the soil. It prefers very loose soils and when growing in fens it will most often be found in mossy hummocks.

It can tolerate full sun but prefers partial shade for some part of the day. When exposed to full sun, the flower lip is somewhat bleached and less deeply colored. It is occasionally eaten by white-tailed deer. [9]

Cypripedium reginae can be found in Canada from Saskatchewan east to Atlantic Canada, and the United States from North Dakota east to the Atlantic and south to Arkansas and Tennessee. [2]

Reproduction

Cypripedium reginae reproduces sexually and depends on insects such as syrphid flies, beetles and Megachile bees for pollination. The structure of the flower creates a tight space through which insects have to squeeze. A pollinating insect first passes by the stigma, and upon exiting the trap rubs against the anther. Pollination typically occurs in June and the seed pod or fruit is ripe by September and dehisces by October. [10] Although a single seed pod can produce over 50,000 seeds, low germination and a seed-to-flowering term of about eight years indicate that sexual reproduction is inefficient. Asexual reproduction from rhizomes is a common means of sustaining a population.

It flowers in early to midsummer, usually with 1 to 2 flowers per stalk, less commonly 3 or 4.

Conservation

Cypripedium reginae is quite rare. Its increasing rarity is attributable to destruction of a suitable alkaline habitat; it is sensitive to hydrologic disturbances, and is threatened by wetland draining, water contamination, habitat destruction and horticultural collectors. Browsing by an exploding deer population stunts or eliminates the plant's growth. [9]

The plant is classified as imperiled (SRANK S2) or critically imperiled (S1) in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Newfoundland and Labrador, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. It is considered vulnerable (S3) in Indiana, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, New York, Quebec, Vermont, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and several areas of eastern Canada. [9] It is known to occur in only 14 locations in Massachusetts (as of 2016). [11] It was historically found in Kentucky and North Carolina, but has not been found recently.[ clarification needed ]

The only provinces to rank Cyp. reginae as apparently secure (S4) are Ontario and Manitoba. [9] There are no SRANKs for the U.S. states of Minnesota and Michigan, but the plant is found in 61 of Michigan's 83 counties, and 33 of the 87 counties in Minnesota. [9]

With funding from the San Diego Orchid Society, The New Hampshire Orchid Society, and the National Institutes of Health, the New Hampshire Academy of Science has performed extensive research regarding the conservation and genetic analysis of Cyp. species native to northern New England. Their researchers have published research papers and numerous abstracts and presented their research in the annual meeting notes of the AAAS and at the New England Science Symposium at Dartmouth College on Cyp. species found in VT and NH. [12] [13] [14] [15]

Cultivation

The showy lady's slipper has been a subject of horticultural interest for many years, and was known to Charles Darwin who, like many, was unsuccessful in cultivating the plant. [3]

It has low seed germination rates and slow maturation to flowering. This makes it more vulnerable to illegal collection. It was historically difficult to raise from seed in sterile culture or in greenhouse conditions, taking many months to germinate in sterile culture. In the 1990s a group of high school students in New Hampshire, under the direction of Dr. Peter Faletra, made substantial progress on axenic culture from seed and were able to obtain over 50% germination levels in about 3 weeks. [9] [8] [16] [17] Efforts at micropropagation have had marginal success. [3]

Methods on transplanting seedlings raised in axenic culture to artificial fens have been advanced by The New Hampshire Academy of Science and can be found at the website

Cultural significance

On a 1969 U.S. stamp Botanical Congress Lady's-slipper 6c 1969 issue U.S. stamp.jpg
On a 1969 U.S. stamp

The plant became the state flower of Minnesota in 1902 and was protected by state law in 1925. It is illegal to pick or uproot a showy lady's slipper flower in Minnesota. [4] [18]

Although this plant was chosen as the provincial flower for Prince Edward Island in 1947, it is so rare on the island that another lady's-slipper, C. acaule (moccasin flower or pink lady's slipper), replaced it as the province's floral emblem in 1965. [19] [20]

Chemistry

Cypripedium reginae contains an irritant, cypripedin, a phenanthrenequinone. The plant is known to cause dermatitis on the hands and face. The first report of the allergy reaction was in 1875 by H. H. Babcock in the United States, 35 years before the term "allergy" was coined. The allergen was later isolated in West Germany by Bjorn M. Hausen and associates. [21] [6]

Medicine

The Cypripedium species have been used in native remedies for dermatitis, tooth aches, anxiety, headaches, as an antispasmodic, stimulant and sedative, but the preferred species for these uses are Cypripedium parviflorum and Cypripedium acaule, used as topical applications or tea. [22]

Dangers

The foliage hairs may cause a rash similar to the one caused by poison ivy. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchid</span> Family of flowering plants in the order Asparagales

Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae, a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Orchids are cosmopolitan plants that are found in almost every habitat on Earth except glaciers. The world's richest diversity of orchid genera and species is found in the tropics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cypripedioideae</span> Subfamily of orchids

Cypripedioideae is a subfamily of orchids commonly known as lady's slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids. Cypripedioideae includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium. They are characterised by the slipper-shaped pouches of the flowers – the pouch traps insects so they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia, thus fertilizing the flower. There are approximately 165 species in the subfamily.

<i>Cypripedium</i> Genus of flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae

Cypripedium is a genus of 58 species and nothospecies of hardy orchids; it is one of five genera that together compose the subfamily of lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedioideae). They are widespread across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including most of Europe and Africa (Algeria), Russia, China, Central Asia, Canada the United States, Mexico, and Central America. They are most commonly known as slipper orchids, lady's slipper orchids, or ladyslippers; other common names include moccasin flower, camel's foot, squirrel foot, steeple cap, Venus' shoes, and whippoorwill shoe. An abbreviation used in trade journals is "Cyp." The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek Κύπρις (Kúpris), an early reference in Greek myth to Aphrodite, and πέδιλον (pédilon), meaning "sandal".

<i>Calypso bulbosa</i> Species of orchid

Calypso is a genus of orchids containing one species, Calypso bulbosa, known as the calypso orchid, fairy slipper or Venus's slipper. It is a perennial member of the orchid family found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It has a small pink, purple, pinkish-purple, or red flower accented with a white lip, darker purple spottings, and yellow beard. The genus Calypso takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. The specific epithet, bulbosa, refers to the bulb-like corms.

<i>Hydrangea quercifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae

Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly known as oakleaf hydrangea or oak-leaved hydrangea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae. It is native to the southeastern United States, in woodland habitats from North Carolina west to Tennessee, and south to Florida and Louisiana. A deciduous shrub with white showy flower heads, it is grown as a garden plant, with numerous cultivars available commercially.

<i>Cypripedium kentuckiense</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium kentuckiense, the Kentucky lady's slipper or southern lady's slipper, is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as lady's slipper orchids.

<i>Cypripedium acaule</i> Species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae

Cypripedium acaule is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae native to eastern North America. It is currently the provincial flower of Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the state wildflower of New Hampshire, United States.

<i>Cypripedium montanum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium montanum is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. It is commonly known as large lady's slipper, mountain lady's slipper, white lady's slipper as well as moccasin flower. This latter is also the common name of Cypripedium acaule.

<i>Cypripedium candidum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium candidum, known as the small white lady's slipper or white lady's slipper, is a rare orchid of the genus Cypripedium. It is native to eastern North America across the northern United States and southern Canada.

<i>Cypripedium parviflorum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium parviflorum, commonly known as yellow lady's slipper or moccasin flower, is a lady's slipper orchid native to North America. It is widespread, ranging from Alaska south to Arizona and Georgia. It grows in fens, wetlands, shorelines, and damp woodlands.

<i>Cypripedium dickinsonianum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium dickinsonianum is a species of orchid known as Dickinson's lady's slipper or Dickinson's cypripedium after American orchidist Stirling Dickinson.

<i>Cypripedium guttatum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium guttatum, the spotted lady's slipper or Alaskan lady's slipper, is a species of orchid found on three continents. Each stem has about two clasping leaves that alternate. The plant has a height of 12 centimeters to 35 centimeters. The magenta and white colored labellum is pitcher shaped.

<i>Cypripedium calceolus</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium calceolus is a lady's-slipper orchid, and the type species of the genus Cypripedium. It is native to Europe and Asia.

<i>Scleranthus annuus</i> Species of flowering plant

Scleranthus annuus is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common names German knotweed and annual knawel. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and it is known throughout the rest of the temperate world as an introduced species and a common weed. It grows in many types of habitat, often in disturbed areas.

<i>Cypripedium arietinum</i> Species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae

Cypripedium arietinum, the ram's head lady's slipper, is a rare orchid that grows in lightly shaded areas with calcareous soils. It is characteristic of the alvars around the Great Lakes in North America, as well as in New England. In Canada, it is found from Quebec to Saskatchewan, plus an isolated population in Nova Scotia, where it grows on gypsum based soils, 330 km away from the nearest population in Maine.

<i>Cypripedium passerinum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium passerinum is a species of lady's slipper orchid known by the common names sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper, spotted lady's-slipper, and Franklin's lady's-slipper.

<i>Cypripedium yatabeanum</i> Species of orchid

Cypripedium yatabeanum, known as the spotted lady slipper or palomino lady's slipper, is a species of terrestrial orchid. It is native to Alaska, to the Russian Far East, and northern Japan.

References

  1. ↑ Rankou, H. 2014. Cypripedium reginae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T43316825A43327719. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T43316825A43327719.en. Accessed 02 July 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Cypripedium reginae". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 1 2 3 Sokolski et al. (1997). "Axenic Seed Culture and Micropropagation of Cypripedium reginae" Selbyana 18(2): 172-182.
  4. 1 2 "Minnesota State Symbols". Minnesota State Legislature.
  5. ↑ Correll, Donovan (1978) [1950]. Native Orchids of North America North of Mexico. Stadford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 39–41. ISBN   0-8047-0999-8.
  6. 1 2 3 Showy Lady's-slipper: Queen Lady's-slipper(botany.wisc.edu), accessed Nov 19, 2005
  7. 1 2 3 Go Orchids, North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOOC), Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
  8. 1 2 Orchids, Faletra et al. 139-143, Feb. 1997
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 NatureServe (2006), "Cypripedium reginae", NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life, Version 6.1., Arlington, Virginia, archived from the original on 2007-09-29, retrieved 2007-06-13{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ↑ Walsh, V.; N. Ramos; P. Faletra (2013). "Characterization of Cypripedium species and Habitats in New Hampshire." AAAS annual Symposium Abstracts.
  11. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2016-06-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ↑ Fiona G. Sweeney; Gabrielle A. Jarrett. "Improving In Vitro Propagation of Cypripedium Parviflorum" (PDF). Static1.squarespace.com. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  13. ↑ Fiona Barthel; Irina Stan. "Axenic Seed Culture of Cypripedium arietinum" (PDF). Static1.squarespace.com. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "New Hampshire Academy of Science — Student Posters 2022".
  15. ↑ "New Hampshire Academy of Science — Student Posters 2022".
  16. ↑ Sokolski K. & Peter Faletra (1997). Growth Studies of the Showy Lady Slipper (Cypripedium reginae) in Axenic Seed Culture, Bulletin of America Association for the Advancement of Sciences, Annual meeting, pp. A-112
  17. ↑ AAAS Annual Meeting, Programs and Abstracts, 1998
  18. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State: State Flower, accessed January 31, 2004
  19. ↑ Provincial Flower. Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Prince Edward Island (PE) - Facts, Flags and Symbols". 2010-04-30. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  21. ↑ Arditti, Joseph (1992). Fundamentals of Orchid Biology. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  22. ↑ Cichoke, Anthony J (2001). Secrets of Native American herbal remedies: a comprehensive guide to the Native American tradition of using herbs and the mind/body/spirit connection for improving health and well-being (. New York: Penguin Publisher. ISBN   9781101100257.
  23. ↑ Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 653. ISBN   0-394-50432-1.

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