Lady’s-Slipper Orchid | 05 Jun 2025

Source: Independent 

The Lady’s Slipper orchid, once believed to be extinct in the UK for nearly a century due to over-collection, was rediscovered in 1930 when a single plant was found. It has now been spotted growing naturally in the wild again in England. 

Lady’s Slipper Orchid 

• Taxonomy: It belongs to the subfamily Cypripedioideae (Orchidaceae) and known for their distinctive slipper-shaped labellum that aids pollination by trapping insects. 
• Species & Distribution: 
  • Of the 5 global genera (Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Selenipedium), Cypripedium and Paphiopedilum occur in India, primarily in the Himalayan states (J&K, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh) and the Northeast hills. 
  • Its species are found in boreal, temperate, and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. 
• Habitat & Ecology: Grow in moist, shady, boreal, cool temperate forests and alpine zones of Europe, Asia, and North America. It requires humus-rich, well-drained soils. 
  • Some species like C. guttatum and C. passerinum in Alaska sprout under snow. 
• Threats & Conservation: Declined due to overcollection, medicinal use, habitat loss, and failed transplantation. They are difficult to cultivate due to specific soil and fungal needs. 
  • Conservation in India is led by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and other institutions through in-situ and ex-situ conservation, tissue culture propagation, and habitat restoration. 
• Conservation Status 
  • CITES: Appendix I & II  
  • IUCN Red List: Critically endangered/ Endangered  
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule III