Kentucky Lady's Slippers Redux

What a weekend!  Flora-Quest 2012 was a complete success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.  I have a couple blog posts forth coming to share the flora, birds and experiences had by myself and those lucky enough to be along for the ride.  The incredibly early start to spring has yet to slow down and caused for some interesting changes for this year's event.  Most of the traditional regulars and favorites were largely passed or done completely but one low was equaled by the high of having numerous plants never before seen at Flora-Quest in bloom.  I will get into all that here shortly.

I had a hunch Sunday as I packed up to head back to Athens that perhaps I should check on the progression and condition of one of North America's most recently described and most gorgeous native orchids.  Of course it's an orchid; what else could it be if I love it that much right?  I'm thankful I did as I found them in picture-perfect full bloom and begging for my camera's attention.  For my devotees you may remember I did a post on the Kentucky Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense) last spring.  That being said I'm not going to rehash and repeat what can easily be read by clicking right here.  What I would like to do is share a series of photographs I took of these regal and impressive orchids.  If I can't take you there physically then some pictures are the next best thing.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

First up is an aesthetically pleasing group shot of the sensational Kentucky lady's slippers.  This population along a sandy stream in Lewis county, Kentucky is the northern-most known station for these rare plants in the world.  Six plants total broke the soil this year with one bearing two flowers; something new for this year as no plants were double-bloomed last year.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

A shot of the double-flowering stem.  I'd imagine that this is a good sign this particular plant is in good health to use the extra energy in putting forth a second flower.  I couldn't be happier and more thankful that it did.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

Zoomed out shot of four of the plants.  These have the largest flowers of any other North American Cypripedium and can grow up to three feet tall.  They were long thought to be another variety to the C. parviflorum complex by many botanists but size, slight morphological differences and especially habitat choice sets this apart.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

Close up side profile of the inflorescence.  It's not hard to see how this genus of plants got its common name of lady's slippers.  A quick whiff inside the labellum presents your olfactories with a light and pleasing fragrance reminiscent of something sweet.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

Also called the southern lady's slippers for their largely southeastern and gulf states distribution.  The scientific epithet of kentuckiense hails from the first plants being discovered and described from a Kentucky population.  Those first specimens were actually found along the same stream as these pictured here.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

One last look at the soft lemony-yellow flowers of the Kentucky lady's slippers.  I anxiously awaited another chance to sit down and spend some time with these natural beauties since my last visit with them.  That's the beauty of plants in many ways.  They are like an old friend you see but once a year and have to make the most of it when the time is right.  In the short few years we've known each other our bond has become strong and I look forward to coming back to these plants year after year and catching up with them