Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , SK
Native Distribution: Saskatchewan to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia; south to South Carolina and Georgia; west to Alabama and Tennessee; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Dry forests, especially pine woods; often in humus mats covering rock outcrops; occasionally in moist woods.

Growing Conditions

Thrives in very acidic soil, ideally with a pH of 4.5 or lower. This specific pH range helps suppress certain soil fungi that could harm the plant. In addition to acidity, the plant prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil, and partial to full shade.

Erect perennial of dry to moist, acid forests and woodlands, often under pine, other conifers or oaks, and sometimes forming extensive colonies.

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Sandy, Acidic

Benefit

Use Medicinal: Sedative and nerve medicine, cure for insomnia, teaspoon of powdered root in sugar-water. (Weiner)
Warning: The plants of the genus Cypripedium have glandular hairs on the leaves and stems that can cause a rash, similar to poison ivy rash, upon contact. POISONOUS PARTS: Glandular, irritating hairs on leaves. Symptoms include skin irritation after contact. Toxic Principle: Unidentified.