Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

The California Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium californicum) is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium, the Lady's Slipper orchids. It is native to the western United States, where it has a very restricted range and can only be found in the mountains of southwestern Oregon (Kalmiopsis Wilderness), and northern California. It prefers the margins of woodland streams in ous forests. It often grows in very large clumps and each stem can bear up to 21 flowers. It can grow to be up to over a meter in height and has alternate, plicate leaves the length of the stem. The petals and sepals tend to be greenish-brown while the small pouch is pure white with occasional pink spots.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 - 4 ft Tall

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Color

Pink, White, Brown

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Site type

Moist slopes and streambanks

Plant communities

Freshwater Marsh, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian