Cypripedium californicum

Although total population numbers seem to be fairly high (10,000+ individuals), this species is restricted in habitat (serpentine) and limited in range to southwestern Oregon and northern California. Its habitat and range are subject to logging and mining. It is at least somewhat collectable. In addition, many of the reports are from pre-timber sales survey, and it is unknown what happened to the populations after the harvesting activities.

The range for this species in Oregon is predominantly Josephine and Curry Counties with one location just across the Curry County border in southern Coos County. In California it is currently found in Butte, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Marin (extinct there), Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sonoma and Trinity Counties. The population in Marin County was washed away (Coleman 1989).

There are 62 records for Oregon although the Oregon Natural Heritage Program stopped actively tracking this species in 1991. It is unknown how many of these have been destroyed since many of these records were from surveys during the pre-timber sale processing. The California Natural Diversity Database has assigned this species to the Watch List and does not actively track it. There are many potential Element Occurrences yet to be recorded.

Populations occur in areas that could be logged and mined. The serpentine wetland habitats where it occurs are vulnerable to disturbance. Collecting does happen.