Plant Profile: Cypripedium calceolus

The Yellow Lady Slipper is a perennial wildflower that thrives in mesic and seepy forests, as well as various other environments, while the variety pubescens specifically prefers rich mesic woodlands. Transplanting this species can be quite challenging. It features an upright growth habit with glandular hairs, and its leaves are either basal or positioned along the stem, appearing broad and strap-like. The flowers are notable for their large, sac-like lower lip and slender, outwardly spreading petals, which can be yellow, pink, or white. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous tiny seeds.

For optimal growth, this plant requires deep, organic soil. It is among the more straightforward native orchids to cultivate in a woodland garden. However, be cautious when purchasing "nursery-grown" specimens, as many are illegally harvested from their natural habitats; always ensure that the plants are nursery-propagated. Additionally, this species is classified as significantly rare in North Carolina.