Cypripedium montanum

Cypripedium montanum is a long-lived perennial herb that is occasional in western North America, with hundreds of occurrences. Populations of this orchid tend to be small and scattered, but numerous over a large geographic area. It is threatened to some extent by habitat loss and degradation and more research is needed to evaluate the impact of fire. A main concern for this species is that present-day botanists are observing and hearing anecdotal accounts of population loss but it unclear how large this decline might be; additional research is needed.

Cypripedium montanum occurs on the Pacific Coast of North America from Alaska south to central California, and east to Alberta and Wyoming. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimen and photo-based observation data collected between 1992 and 2023 (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023).

Based on NatureServe Network occurrence data, herbarium records, photo-based observations, and anecdotal evidence, there are over 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, NatureServe 2023). This species is common to occasional in appropriate habitat. It is described as "infrequent in and east of the Coast-Cascade Mountain [in British Columbia], rare northwards" (Douglas et al. 2001). An estimate of occurrences in eastern Oregon is approximately 200 (J. Kagan, pers. comm., 2001), and another 100 in western Oregon (Vrilakas, pers. comm., 2002). From the ISMS data set, it is estimated to have 60 occurrences in northern California and 50 in western Washington (ISMS 2002). There are roughly 13 occurrences in Alaska, largely in the southeastern portion of the state.

This species is sensitive to a variety of threats and due to intrinsic vulnerabilities and it may take years to recover from disturbance. Fortunately, many occurrences are in protected areas. Contributing to habitat loss or degradation are a variety stressors including logging, road construction, grazing, off-road vehicles, recreation including include park and campground maintenance, and competitive non-native plants (Fertig 2000, J. Kagan, pers. comm., 2001, K. Vujnovic, pers. comm., 2002, K. Ferguson, pers. comm., 2023). Direct mortality could occur due to the above but also, herbicide spraying (Washington Natural Heritage Program 1981). In addition, disturbances caused by the collection of other species such as mushrooms or medicinal plants may damage habitat (Seevers and Lang 1998) and the harvest of this species may be a threat. Fire suppression may be the largest threat to the many populations located in developed/developing areas, however increasing fire frequency and intensity is equally a concern, as well as fire suppression measures.