Pink Lady Slipper Orchid: Native Plant Treasure

There are some plants that feel like absolute treasures when you stumble upon them in the wild. Like little bits of pure forest magic sprouting from the earth. My heart usually races and I take some serious time to sit beside the plant and bask in its innate glory.

The Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchid is truly such a plant. Cypripedium acaule is found in almost every state east of the Mississippi. I took this photo in a rich & lush hardwood forest in the Appalachians of North Carolina. Orchids capture my heart in a way not many plants do, and I’m so thankful that we have some native orchids in the US!

I remember going for a walk near where we were camping and at the beginning of the trail there were three of these beauties. I had seen it’s yellow cousin before, but had never seen the gorgeous pink dazzler. Encouraged that I would find more along my way, I was rewarded to stumble upon many more during my hike.

It’s tempting, but very important that you not dig these from the wild. It’s illegal of course, but it’s also simply a horrible practice and reduces the numbers of them in the wild putting them at risk. If you absolutely must have one, they can be purchased from a reputable nursery or cultivated although it takes great care and skill.