Moccasin Flower
Cypripedium acaule
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © arethusa (iNaturalist #14202726)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Genus:
- Cypripedium
- Species:
- Cypripedium acaule
- USDA Symbol:
- CYAC3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Epiphyte
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:white slant-line (Tetracis cachexiata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 5.5 (strongly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Avoid alkaline soils; prefers forested areas with leaf litter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Notes:
- Requires mycorrhizal symbiosis for germination; extremely difficult to germinate without specialized fungal inoculation and sterile culture techniques.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds require mycorrhizal fungi for successful germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. * very difficult; grow in moist compost to which has been added soil from parent plant to provide symbiotic fungi or sow outside in spring in acid duff