Yellow Lady's Slipper

Yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum) is a showy orchid in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It blooms in montane and subalpine habitats in Banff National Park; yellow, pouch-shaped flowers that are one of the most recognisable orchids of the Rockies.

Identification: Perennial (20–70 cm); alternate, oval leaves; solitary or paired yellow, pouch-shaped flowers (2–5 cm) with twisted, brownish-purple lateral petals. “Lady’s slipper” refers to the pouch-like lip. Roots are shallow and fragile.

Habitat: Montane and subalpine; moist forests, stream margins, and wetlands. Often in calcareous (limestone) soils. Blooms May to July.

Conservation: Sensitive to disturbance; trampling and picking kill plants. Orchids are slow-growing and depend on specific fungi for germination. Do not pick or dig; Parks Canada prohibits collection of all plants.