Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid
Cypripedium parviflorum
The Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid is one of North America's most beautiful native wildflowers, bearing distinctive pouch-shaped yellow blooms with spirally twisted brownish petals. It symbolizes beauty, capricious whim, feminine grace, and the preciousness of wild things.
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Late spring to early summer (May–June)
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: cattleya orchids and roses also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
The Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid has a special place in the folklore and culture of North America's Indigenous peoples. Among the Ojibwe and other Great Lakes nations, the flower was associated with feminine power and healing. Its whimsical, slipper-like form captured the imagination of early botanists and wildflower enthusiasts, and it was once so extensively collected from the wild that it became seriously depleted across much of its range. In the Victorian language of flowers, the lady's slipper carries the meaning "win me" or "capricious beauty" — a reference to the pouch-shaped flower that lures and then releases its insect pollinators in a clever deceptive trap. Its rarity and difficulty of cultivation have made it a symbol of precious, irreplaceable wild beauty.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Partial shade to dappled sunlight; sheltered from hot, direct afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates
Water
Prefers consistent moisture, especially in spring during active growth; tolerates seasonal wet but not prolonged waterlogging. Requires specific soil fungi (mycorrhiza) for germination and establishment.
Soil
Humus-rich, Moist, Well-drained to moderately moist, Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, Loam
Expert Growing Tips
Never collect from the wild — wild populations are legally protected on federal land and severely depleted by over-collection
Purchase only from reputable nurseries that propagate from seed or tissue culture (not wild-collected plants)
Plant in rich, humus-rich woodland soil with partial shade and reliable moisture
Requires specific mycorrhizal fungi in the soil for long-term survival — do not sterilize or replace soil
Extremely slow to establish from seed (can take 6–16 years to flower); patience is essential
Do not dig or transplant established wild plants — they rarely survive transplanting and may take decades to replace
Mulch with leaf mould to maintain cool, moist root conditions
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Shaded native wildflower and woodland gardens in appropriate climates
- Specimen plant for native orchid collections
- Conservation and ecological restoration plantings
- Educational botanical garden displays
Traditional Uses
- Roots and rhizomes were used historically by Native American peoples as a sedative, nerve tonic, and treatment for anxiety, insomnia, and headaches — giving rise to the common name "nerve root" and "American Valerian"
- Used by the Cherokee, Ojibwe, Menominee, and other nations for menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, and as a mild antispasmodic
- Not recommended for modern use — can cause contact dermatitis and skin irritation; proper identification is essential as other plants may be confused with it
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid
What does the yellow lady slipper orchid symbolize?
The Yellow Lady Slipper symbolizes beauty, capricious whim, and feminine grace. In the Victorian language of flowers it carries the message "win me" — a nod to its deceptive, lure-and-release pollination trap. It also symbolizes the preciousness and irreplaceable quality of wild, untamed beauty.
Is it illegal to pick yellow lady slippers?
Yes — picking, digging, or collecting yellow lady slipper orchids on federal lands in the United States is illegal. Wild populations have been severely reduced by over-collection, and many states list it as endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Always observe wild orchids in place and never disturb them.
Why is the yellow lady slipper so hard to grow?
Yellow lady slipper orchids depend on a specific mycorrhizal fungus in the soil for germination and ongoing nutrition — a relationship that is very difficult to replicate in cultivation. Plants can take 6–16 years to flower from seed and rarely survive transplanting from the wild. Only nursery-propagated plants should be purchased.
How does the yellow lady slipper pollinate?
The yellow lady slipper uses a deceptive trap mechanism: the pouch-shaped lip lures insects (primarily small bees) inside with visual cues, but offers no nectar. Once inside, the insect must escape through a narrow exit past the stigma and anthers, picking up or depositing pollen in the process.
When does the yellow lady slipper orchid bloom?
Yellow lady slipper orchids bloom in late spring to early summer — typically May through June depending on latitude and elevation. They are one of the most eagerly anticipated spring wildflowers in North American woodland and fen habitats.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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