keys to the vascular plants of east texas - Botanical Research ...

CYPRIPEDIUM/ORCHIDACEAE 761
while those with open perianths are treated as var. pringlei (Greenman) Freudenstein (the latter
variety is not known from TX) (Magrath & Freudenstein 2002). Luer (1975) referred to this
rather non-showy species as the “ugly duckling” of the genus. While not officially designated
as such (e.g., TOES 1993; Carr 2002d; Poole et al. 2002), given its limited distribution in the state,
we consider this species to be of conservation concern in TX. � m/283
Corallorhiza wisteriana Conrad, (for its discoverer, Charles Jones Wister, 1782–1865), SPRING
CORALROOT, WISTER’S CORALROOT, EARLY SOUTHERN CORALROOT. Plant very inconspicuous, 10–
40(–55) cm tall, from irregular rhizomes; stems yellowish to reddish brown or purple, not
bulbose-based or only slightly so; flowers 5–25(–more); perianth brownish, greenish yellow, or
reddish brown with purple dots; lip white with purple to pink markings, entire or denticulate.
In leaf mold of various forests, on limestone hills or on sandy soils, from dry to wet sites; widespread
in e 1/2 of TX; throughout much of U.S. from PA s to FL w to WA and AZ. Mid-Feb–Apr.
This species is reported to often prefer “richer habitats than other coral-roots” (Magrath &
Freudenstein 2002). m/283
CYPRIPEDIUM L. LADY’S-SLIPPER, MOCCASIN FLOWER
AA mainly n temperate genus of ca. 45 species (Sheviak 2002a). Cypripedium and related
genera form a distinctive group within the family (e.g., with 2 fertile anthers) and are sometimes
segregated as a separate family, Cypripediaceae (e.g., Rasmussen 1985). However, they are
clearly, if distantly, related to other orchids and we are following the general consensus among
most recent authorities (e.g., Pridgeon et al. 1999; Chase 2001; Sheviak 2002a) and including
them in the Orchidaceae. The sac-like or slipper-like, inflated lip has one opening which is
functionally composed of a larger central entrance for pollinators and two posterior exits below
the anthers. Colors and fragrance attract insects (deceptively, since no nutritional reward has
been discovered), apparently primarily bees, which become temporarily trapped inside the inflated
lip. Once inside, and unable to leave through the central entrance because of its infolded
slippery margins, the insect must force its way out one of the two posterior exits/orifices below
the anthers. To facilitate the insect’s escape via this pathway, the lip has hairs on the inner surface
that form a ladder to the small exits/orifices. In the process of escaping, the insect passes
first by the stigma, onto which pollen grains from previously visited flowers may be scraped
off, and finally below an anther where viscid pollen is attached to the insect’s back (van der Pijl
& Dodson 1966; Luer 1975; Davis 1986; Pridgeon et al. 1999). � The shoots of some species have
glands producing a contact irritant (cypripedin) (Mabberley 1997), while foliage hairs are reported
to cause dermatitis in some people (Yatskievych 1999). The active ingredients appear to
be a red quinone and related substances, possibly serving a protective function as antifungal
agents (Pridgeon et al. 1999). LADY’S-SLIPPERS are difficult though not impossible to cultivate
(Case 1987), and many “cypripediums” in cultivation are actually members of other genera (e.g.,
the Asiatic genus Paphiopedilum). As with many orchids, overcollecting from the wild is a serious
threat to some populations. The common name LADY’S-SLIPPER was given by medieval
botanists in reference to the Virgin Mary, with other old names including SOULIER DE NOTRE
DAME (“Our Lady’s shoe”) (Durant 1976). (Greek: Kypris, Latinized as Cypris, goddess of love and
beauty (Venus), supposed to have been born on Cyprus, and (according to Linnaeus) podium,
little foot; actually from Latin pes, pedis, foot, or possibly Greek, pedilon, sandal or slipper—Luer
1975; in reference to the beautiful slipper shape of the lip)
REFERENCES: Soukup 1977; Reed 1981, 1982; Atwood 1984, 1985; Davis 1986; Sheviak 1992, 1994,
2002a; Case 1994; Brown 1995; Weldy et al. 1996; Cribb 1997; Case et al. 1998; Pridgeon et al. 1999;
Cammack & Patrick 2000; Keenan 2000; Allen et al. 2004b.
Cypripedium kentuckiense C.F. Reed, (of Kentucky), SOUTHERN LADY’S-SLIPPER, YELLOW LADY’S-
SLIPPER, RAFINESQUE’S LADY’S-SLIPPER, KENTUCKY LADY’S-SLIPPER, IVORY LADY’S-SLIPPER, PURLOINED-