Wildflower of the valley
Cypripedium
Cypripedium himalaicum
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Medium
- Family
- Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
- Local name
- Himalayan Slipper Orchid, Himalayan Cypripedium, lady's slipper, moccasin flower, slipper orchid, camel's foot, Venus' shoes, squirrel foot, steeple cap, and whippoorwill shoe.
- Type
- Orchid
- Height
- medium
- Altitude
- 3000–4000 m
- Flower colour
- red
- Flowering
- June to July
- Status
- Vulnerable
About Cypripedium
Himalayan Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium himalaicum) is a Terrestrial orchid. Its height varies from 20-25 cm. Leaves are 5-10 and size varies from 3-4 cm only. Flowers of Himalayan Slipper Orchid are fragrant and elegant. Flowers are marked with purple and brown streaks densely. Flowers have an ovoid hanging lip streaked with purple. The mouth of the lip is saw-toothed or wavy. The lip is larger than the petals. Petals and sepals are of green color with red veins. Petals are oblong and spread outward.
Where to find it
- In the deeper parts of the valley
Habitat
Mountain Slopes and Alpine meadows.
Uses & folklore
This plant has a great ornamental value and is used used for animals.
What the name means
Cypripedium is Greek Kypris (Aphrodite/Venus) + pedilon (slipper) — "Venus's slipper"; himalaicum means "of the Himalaya".
