I have a floral nomination for a fitting Grand Marshall or even as Queen for next year’s Apple Blossom Festival – Mountain Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium montanum). It is currently in full bloom in an aspen grove near you!
This terrific native plant is often found near Wenatchee in partial shade at the edge of a shady grove of quaking aspen. These are long-lived native perennials. On the east-side of the Cascades in Washington, they are always in small patches along edges of deciduous forest. Worldwide, there are about 50 species that are widespread throughout boreal, temperate, and tropical regions of the European, Asian, and North American continents. More than 30 species are distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Twelve species occur in the US. Check out this USFS webpage to see photos of all species native to U.S. Forest Service lands. In Washington, we have three native lady-slipper species on the east-side of the Cascades. Unfortunately, collectors (people!) have led to the reduction of lady-slippers worldwide. As with other native plants, it is best to leave them where they grow, as they are part of complex web-of-life, and to feast on their beauty with your eyes and camera!
The lady-slipper’s pollination story is one of deception and success. Fused petals form the white pouch- the “slipper”- and an enticing showy structure (yellow with red dots in this species) called the staminoide invites a bee to venture inside the pouch, as it searches for sweet nectar. It turns out, there is no nectar, but the bee’s explorations result in pollen being collected on its back when is brushes by the male pollen-producing structures (anthers), and then it brushes against the female structure (stigma), depositing pollen, so that fertilization can take place. The bee exits a “back door,” having provided pollinator serves at no cost to the flower!
Are you surprised to learn that the Orchid Family is the largest family of flowering plants and their seeds are smallest of all flowering plants, the size of a speck of dust? Orchids produce many tiny seeds, that contain no nutrition to support a future plant. In order to grow, most wind-dispersed orchid seeds must encounter the correct species of a fungi that will envelope it and aid in water and nutrient absorption in order to grow. Learn more about the interesting orchid seed characteristics in this article by the Kew Gardens . One cool topic in this article is about the tiny black specks we enjoy in real vanilla ice cream are actually seeds from the vanilla bean, a member of the Orchid family.
Hunting for a blooming orchid is like a treasure hunt – you’ll discover lots of other beautiful plants and animals along the way. Remember to stay on trails and to take only pictures. Local places to use trails that pass by aspen groves include Squilchuck State Park, the USFS Number Two Canyon, and USFS Leavenworth Ski Hill. Farther afield, The USFS Chickadee Trailhead in the Wintrop area has several trails where visitors can view this lovely native wildflower.