Cypripedium passerinum
Richards.
Sparrow's-egg Lady's-slipper
G5SecureGlobal Rank
VulnerableIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.136292
Element CodePMORC0Q0A0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNVulnerable
CITESAppendix II
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderOrchidales
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusCypripedium
Other Common NamesCypripède oeuf-de-passereau (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-05-16
Change Date2012-03-06
Range Extent CommentsAlaska and Yukon to Hudson Bay and Quebec, south to southeast British Columbia, northern Montana, and to the region of Lake Superior. Peripheral.
Ecology & Habitat
Description
Sparrow's-egg Lady's-slipper is a perennial with leafy stems reaching up to 35 cm high and arising from slender, creeping rhizomes. The 3-5 broadly lance-shaped leaves reach up to 15 cm long and clasp the stem; the herbage is covered with long, soft hairs and is usually somewhat sticky. The one or two flowers are subtended by a leafy bract which is longer than the inflorescence. The sepals are green and 10-16 mm long, and the upper is longer than the lower two. The petals are white; the lower is pouch-like with purple spots on the inside, and the other two resemble the sepals but are shorter. The erect capsule is ovoid and bears thousands of tiny seeds.
Diagnostic Characteristics
This species can be distinguished from our other white lady's slipper (C. MONTANUM) by the sepals that are shorter than the slipper-like petal and not wavy or twisted.
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Manitoba | S4 | Yes |
| Alberta | S5 | Yes |
| Northwest Territories | S4 | Yes |
| Yukon Territory | S4 | Yes |
| Quebec | S2 | Yes |
| British Columbia | S4 | Yes |
| Nunavut | S3 | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | S3 | Yes |
| Ontario | S4 | Yes |
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Montana | S2 | Yes |
| Alaska | SNR | Yes |
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
References (9)
- Arditti, J., J. D. Michaud and P. L. Healey. 1979. Morphometry of orchid seeds. I. PAPHIOPEDILUM and native California and related species of CYPRIPEDIUM. American Journal of Botany 66(10):1128-1137.
- Catling, P. M. 1983. Autogamy in eastern Canadian Orchidaceae: a review of current knowledge and some new observations. Naturaliste Canada 110:37-53.
- Hoitsma, T. 1992. Sensitive plant survey, Fortine Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Unpublished report. 65 pp. plus appendices.
- Horn, G. 1980. Report on inventory of threatened or endangered, rare, or sensitive plants-Headwaters Resource Area, Butte District, Bureau of Land Management, Montana. Unpublished report. 54 pp.
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
- Keddy, C. J., Keddy, P. A. and R. J. Planck. 1983. An ecological study of <i>Cypripedium passerinum</i> Rich. (sparrow's egg lady-slipper, Orchidaceae) on the north shore of Lake Superior. Canadian Field Naturalist 97(3):268-274.
- Linden, B. 1980. Aseptic germination of seeds of northern terrestrial orchids. Ann. Bot. Fennici 17:174-182.
- Shelly, J. S. 1988e. Status review of <i>Cypripedium passerinum</i>. U.S. Forest Service, Region 1, Flathead and Lewis and Clark National Forests. Unpublished report. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 52 pp.
- St.-Arnaud, M. and D. Barabe. 1989. Comparative analysis of the flower vascularization of some CYPRIPEDIUM species (Orchidaceae). Lindleyana 4(3):146-153.