Cypripedium calceolus

[camille1585]

Late may-early june is the peak season for these orchids. I did not take these pics, one of my close friends sent them to me. She lives up in the mountains around Chambéry, an alpine town in France. Not far from her house there is a secluded clearing deep in the forest, and it is full of these slipper orchids. As the place is far from the footpaths, the orchids have largely avoided wild collecting by ignorant people. You have to know they are there to find them. Usually I go with her to see the orchids, so she sent pics to make me feel better.
Cypripedium calceolus is Europe's largest orchid, as well as the only slipper orchid. They are quite rare unfortunately.

[tuvoc]

Absolutely exquisite, Camille. Thanks to you and your friend for these wonderful pics.

Kim

[kinknstein]

Beautiful!! I grow these in my garden here in Canada, but to see Cypripediums in the wild would be a real treat.

[Ross]

Thanks for sharing. These are quite common here.

[flhiker]

Real nice. We don't have any of those here.

[RosieC]

Great colour combination.

[musicloveranthony]

Very gorgeous! Thank you for posting. I'm in wild orchid withdrawal, at this time of year...hence my searching the several months old posts O:-)

[ronaldhanko]

We were in British Columbia this past summer and saw several areas where these were growing by the thousands.

[Tindomul]

Very nice species. I really like the contrast in colour between the tepals and the pouch.

[Brotherly Monkey]

a bit off-topic, but I was thinking about getting a few of these, either this year, or next, but am having a difficult time finding any info online.

Can someone recommend me a good resource for Cyps?