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Cypripedium (From Kypris Venus and podion)

(from Kypris, Venus, and podion, a slipper). Lady's Slipper. ORD. Orchideae. This is one of the most interesting and important genera of the whole Orchid family, whether viewed from a botanical or horticultural point of view. One characteristic of the vast majority of orchids is the possession of only one perfect stamen, the two lateral ones being abortive. To this rule Cypripedium forms an exception, possessing, as it does, two fertile lateral stamens, the central one (which is fertile in other orchids) being represented by a singular shield-like plate. The large inflated pouch which is formed by the labellum suggested both English and Latin names. This pouch plays a considerable part in securing the fertilisation of the flower. Sir John Lubbock, speaking of C. longifolium, says: "The opening into the slipper is small, and partly closed by the stigma and the shield-like body which lies between the two anthers. The result is that the opening into the slipper has a horseshoe-like form, and that bees or other insects which have once entered the slipper have some difficulty in getting out again. While endeavouring to do so, they can hardly fail to come in contact with the stigma, which lies under the shield-like representation of the middle anther. As the margins of the lip are inflected, the easiest exit is at the two ends of the horseshoes, and by one or other of these the insect generally escapes; in doing which, however, it almost inevitably comes in contact with, and carries off, some of the pollen from the corresponding anther. The pollen of this genus is immersed in a viscid fluid, by means of which it adheres first to the insect, and secondly to the stigma, while in most orchids it is the stigma that is viscid."

Reference has already been made to the remarkable pouch by which the flowers are characterised: it may be added that the petals and sepals are narrow and rather long, extending sometimes into slender tail-like appendages of great length. The blossoms are, in different species, yellowish, pink, or white; in some instances, they are beautifully dotted and lined with pink or green, and in many kinds purple and brown, of various shades, are the predominating colours.

All amateur plant growers who are about to commence orchid growing, should begin with a few of the commoner species of Lady's Slipper, for the following reason: they are not expensive, or difficult to cultivate, but thrive admirably amongst ordinary stove plants; they flower very freely, and continue in perfection a long time. Some blossom in mid-winter, others during the summer months; and those who wish for fine exhibition subjects cannot have more attractive or telling plants.

Cultivation. Although Cypripediums are very easily cultivated, they differ from the majority of orchidaceous plants, inasmuch as they do not, in potting, require to be elevated above the rim of the pot, but inserted in the same manner as ordinary plants. The best soil for them is a mixture of two parts good peat, one part chopped sphagnum, one part thoroughly decayed leaf mould, and a portion of sharp silver sand. In potting, an important point for consideration is drainage. This must be thorough and effective, for, as these plants have no pseudo-bulbs to sustain them, they must not be dried off, as many other orchids are, during winter; and, if the drainage is defective, the roots are sure to decay and the leaves shrivel. In the case of the hardier kinds of Lady's Slipper, a large portion of good friable loam, in addition to the above soil, is recommended. It has been frequently said that deciduous species of Cypripedium are very difficult to cultivate; but, with a suitable rather shady position and a little care, they will thrive as well as many other herbaceous plants.

C. acaule (stemless).* fl. solitary, large; sepals and petals greenish, shorter than the drooping lip, which is of a beautiful warm rose, blotched with purple. May and June. l. twin, broad, light green, sparingly clothed with short soft downy hairs; from their centre arises the short scape. Northern United States, 1786. An extremely rare species, of great hardihood. (B. M. 192.) A white-flowered variety also occurs.

C. Argus (Argus).* fl. white, rose, green, blackish-purple, and purple-brown March and April. l. handsomely tessellated with grey. h. 1ft. Philippines, 1873. Stove. (B. H. 1882, 9.) C. arietinum. Ram's-head.* fl. solitary; sepals and petals greenish-brown; lip red and whitish-veined. May. Stems leafy, stiff. h. 7in. to 10in. Northern United States and Canada, 1808. A neat little hardy species. (B. M. 1569.) C. Ashburtoniae (Lady Ashburton's).* fl., dorsal sepal large, and not unlike C. barbatum; petals ligulate, white, tinged with green, and veined with purple; lip pale purple, tinged with yellow, and slightly blotched with purple. l. ligulate, dark green, faintly reticulated. Stove. A handsome hybrid, raised from C. barbatum and C. insigne. (G. C. n. s., 1871, 1647.) C. barbatum (bearded).* fl. solitary; dorsal sepal large and broad, the lower portion beautifully flecked with purple, the upper half pure white; petals similar in colour, ornamented with several tufts of black hairs, which are produced from the purple shining warts bordering the upper edge of the petals; lip large, blackish-purple. Spring and summer. l. distichous, oblong, light green, curiously blotched and spotted with irregular markings of very dark green. h. 1ft. Malacca, 1838. Stove. This is about the most familiar species of the genus. (B. M. 4234.) There are numerous forms of the species, which vary considerably in the peculiar mottling of the leaves, and in the size and brilliancy of the colouring of their blossoms, so that, to insure a good typical form, intending purchasers should make their selection whilst the plants are in flower. The following are the best varieties: C. b. nigrum (black). fl. larger than those of any other form of the type, and the colour much darker. The foliage is finely variegated. It continues six weeks in flower.

C. b. superbum (superb).* Much like the type, but with brightly variegated foliage, flowers more handsome, lip very dark, and the dorsal sepal purer white towards the apex.

C. b. Veitchianum (Veitch's).* A very fine form, with spotted petals. C. biflorum (two-flowered). fl., dorsal sepal very handsome, upper part white; remaining parts of the blossom purplish-brown; spikes nearly 1ft. long. l. elegantly variegated. h. 4in. India. Stove. Allied to C. barbatum. C. Boxallii (Boxall's).* fl., upper sepal of a beautiful fresh light green, with a narrow white border, covered with brownish-black spots; inferior sepal oblong-acute, shorter than the lip, light green, with lines of very small reddish-brown spots; petals broadly cuneate at the base, dilated at the apex, blunt, light green, with a dark, rather broad bluish-violet line from the base of the middle line up to near the apex; lip chiefly forming a blunt conical sac, with two channelled upright horns and a channelled claw, greenish-yellow, with a dense row of cinnamon spots under the orifice of the sac. Peduncle covered with dark blotches. India, 1877. Stove. (L. H. 345.) C. Calceolus.* Common Slipper. fl. usually solitary; sepals and petals narrow, spreading, reddish-brown or maroon colour; labellum pale yellow. l. glabrous, dark green. h. 12in. to 18in. North Asia and Europe (England). Hardy. (G. C. n. s., xi. 813.) C. calurum. See Selenipedium calurum.

C. candidum (white).* fl., sepals and petals greenish-brown; lip white. Early summer. h. 12in. North America, 1826. A neat and pretty species. Hardy. (B. M. 5855.) C. caricinum. See Selenipedium caricinum.

C. concolor (one-coloured).* fl. cream-coloured, finely speckled, borne in pairs on dark brown stems. l. beautifully variegated Moulmein, 1865. A very distinct stove species. (B. M. 5513.) C. Crossii (Cross's). fl., dorsal sepal large, ground colour whitish, with a purplish blotch in the centre, from which spring lines of the same colour; lower half of sepal marked with green lines; lateral sepals whitish, lined with green, tipped reddish-purple; lip reddish-purple. l. light green, blotched with darker colour. Peru, 1864. (B. H. 1865, 226.) C. Dayanum (Day's).* fl. large; sepals white, with green veins; petals purplish, tinged with green. May, June. l. with very beautifully distinct variegation. Borneo, 1860. Stove. (F. d. S. 1527.) C. Dominianum. See Selenipedium Dominianum.

C. Druryi (Drury's).* fl., sepals greenish-yellow, covered outside with numerous dark hairs, middle line broad, black; petals broad, ligulate, bent a little downwards, each equally adorned with a broad black line over the middle; lip ochraceous, with numerous brown spots on its channelled base. h. 6in. India, 1877. This stove species has the general habit of C. insigne, but the leaves are more acute and usually shorter, and the flower is very different.

C. euryandrum (large-anthered).* A very distinct hybrid between C. barbalum and C. Stonei. The sepals come near those of the latter, but the upper one is more blunt; petals ligulate, rather broad, much longer than those of C. barbatum, much shorter than those of C. Stonei; the lip comes near that of C. barbatum, but is larger. (F. d. S. 2278, 2279.) C. Fairieanum (Fairie's).* fl. solitary; dorsal sepal large, white, beautifully streaked with green and brownish-purple; petals similar in colour and curiously curved at the ends; lip rather large, dull purple, suffused with dull brown and shaded with green. l. about 3in. long, narrow, pale green. h. 1ft. East Indies. The flowers are produced in great abundance, and will last several weeks in full beauty if not sprinkled with water. It thrives best in a cool house. (B. M. 5024.) C. guttatum (spotted).* fl. beautiful snow-white, heavily blotched or marbled with deep rosy-purple, rather small. June. l. twin, broadly-ovate, downy. h. 6in. to 9in. Northern Russia, Siberia, and North America, 1829. A very charming but rare hardy species, thriving in a shady position on rockwork or in a border, in leaf mould, moss, and sand; it must be kept rather dry in winter. (P. F. G. 1, 183.) C. Harrisianum (Harris's).* A hybrid between C. barbatum and C. villosum. fl. larger than those of the first-named, yet inferior in size to C. villosum; upper sepal broad, shining, dark purple, tipped with white; petals rich purple; lip claret-coloured, tipped with green. l. marked like those of C. barbatum, with the polished appearance of C. villosum. C. Haynaldianum (Haynald's).* fl., upper half of upper sepal faintly rose and white, lower greenish, beautifully blotched with brown; inferior sepal pale green, slightly spotted brown; lip green, with a rounded base; raceme two or more flowered. Winter. Philippines, 1877. This species comes very close to C. Lowii. (B. M. 6296.) C. Hincksianum. See Selenipedium Hincksianum.

C. hirsutissimum (very hairy). fl. often 6in. across, solitary or in pairs, on erect hairy scapes; sepals and petals green, shaded with purple, and dotted with brown; lip greenish, with a profusion of brown dots. March to May. l. pale green, about 10in. long. h. 1ft. Java. Less showy than many others, but well worth growing. Stove. (B. M. 4990.) C. Hookerae (Mrs. Hooker's).* fl. solitary, on very long scapes; sepals and petals yellowish-brown, the points of the latter being of a rich rosy-purple; the pouch is somewhat small, brown suffused with yellow. Summer. l. broad, obtuse; ground-colour deep black-green, beautifully variegated with irregular-shaped blotches of pure white. Borneo, 1868. Stove. (B. M. 5362.) C. insigne (remarkable).* fl. solitary, often 5in. across; dorsal sepal broad, large, yellowish-green, faintly streaked with lines of reddish-brown, and the upper part pure white; lip large, tawny-yellow paler within. Winter, lasting several weeks in beauty. l. long, strap-shaped, yellowish-green, coriaceous, distichous. Nepaul, 1819. A well-known and useful greenhouse plant. (B. M. 3412.) C. i. Maulei (Maule's).* This, though similar in general appearance to the type, is nevertheless distinct and beautiful; it is somewhat more delicate in its habit of growth. The flowers are produced at the same season of the year, but are much brighter in colour, the dorsal sepal being spotted dull purple, and fully half is snow white. Nepaul. (G. C. n. s., xviii. 716.) C. i. punctatum violaceum (violet-dotted). This differs from C. i. Maulei in its roundish-oblong, flat, dorsal sepal, and in the more definite colouring of the whole flower. Lip smaller, shining chestnut colour; petals light olive-green, shaded and netted with dark umber. (Gn., June 24, 1882.) C. irapeanum (Irapean). fl. about 4in. in diameter; sepals and petals of a uniform rich golden-yellow; lip same colour, stained on the inside with reddish-brown, much inflated; spikes many-flowered. June, July. l. broad. pale green, sheathing the stem at the base. h. 18in. Mexico, 1844. Stove. (B. R. 1846, 58.) C. japonicum (Japanese). fl. solitary; sepals greenish, covered with red spots; petals and lip white, stained and tinged with crimson, forming a lovely contrast of colours. June. l. large, twin, cordate, with crumpled edges, light green. h. 6in. to 1ft. Japan, 1874. Hardy. Distinct and uncommon. (G. C. n. s., iii. 625.) C. laevigatum (smooth).* fl., sepals striped inside with purple; petals 6in. long, very much twisted, beautifully blotched with chocolate, purple, and green; lip yellow; scape hairy, three or four-flowered. Spring. l. strap-shaped, long, thick, shining. Philippines, 1865. A very handsome stove species. SYN. C. philippinense. (B. M. 5508.) C. Lawrenceanum (Lawrence's).* fl., upper sepal very broad and round, much exceeding a half-crown piece, white, with numerous dark purplish, shining veins; lateral sepals very small, greenish-white, with dark purple spots; petals divaricate, narrow, green, dull purplish at the top, ciliate; lip very large. l. about 1ft. long, having on their inner surface a dark green mosaic on a light greenish-white ground. Borneo, 1878. Stove. (B. M. 6432.) C. Lowii (Low's).* fl., dorsal sepal downy outside, pale green within; petals long, the basal half greenish, spotted with purple, wholly purple towards the end; margins ciliated; lip large, smooth, and shining, bluntly-oblong, light brown in colour, suffused with purple; spike generally two-flowered, sometimes more. l. oblong-ligulate, light green. Borneo, 1847. A curious and beautiful stove species. (G. C. 1847, 765.) C. macranthum (large-flowered).* fl. deep rich purple, solitary, large; lip much inflated. May, June. l. medium-sized, bright green. h. 9in. to 12in. Siberia, 1829. Hardy. (B. M. 2938.) C. Mastersianum (Masters's). fl. green, white, coppery, brown. Malayan Archipelago, 1879.

C. Morganiae (Mrs. Morgan's). fl., dorsal sepal 2 1/2in. long by 1 3/4in. broad, white, with purplish streaks; lower sepal smaller, with fewer streaks; petals 5in. long and 1in. broad at the widest part, whitish at the base, spotted with reddish-crimson; lip large, rose-colour, veined with crimson, whitish beneath; staminode pale yellow. Hybrid raised by Messrs. Veitch between C. superbiens and C. Stonei. One of the largest and most beautifully coloured of all Cypripediums. (Gn., Jan. 20, 1883.) C. nitens (shining). A hybrid between C. villosum and C. insigne Maulei, described as follows: "Petals long, wavy, light brown, and ochre colour, reticulate, very shining, as in C. villosum, the upper sepal and inferior one quite as in C. Maulei, but far larger; not a vestige of the narrow base of the superior one, as in C. villosum; lip with long lateral horns of sac, and narrower, in the way of C. villosum."

C. niveum (snowy).* fl. wholly of a pure soft snowy white, save for a few freckles of cinnamon irregularly scattered over the sepals and petals, usually solitary, rarely twin. l. dark green on the upper side, irregularly blotched with lighter markings, the under side of a dull vinous red. h. 6in. Malay Archipelago, 1869. Stove. Described as one of the best. (B. M. 5922.) C. pardinum (leopard-spotted).* fl. large; dorsal sepal white, striped with bright green; lower sepal smaller; petals broad and pointed, lower portion yellowish-green, spotted with purplish-black, the rest reddish-purple, and fringed at the edges with fine hairs; lip light bright green, tinged with pale yellow; spike two or three-flowered. l. mottled with various shades of green on the upper side, purplish beneath. India, 1869. Stove. (F. M. 51.) C. Parishii (Parish's).* fl., sepals greenish-white, broad; petals much lengthened out, from 4in. to 5in. long, beautifully undulated, the lower half being of a rich purple; lip 1 1/2in. long, purplish or yellowish-green; scape sometimes 2ft. high, much-branched, three to six-flowered. Summer. l. distichous, leathery, and broad. h. 2ft. Burmah, 1869. Stove. (B. M. 5791.) C. parviflorum (small-flowered).* fl. comparatively small, fragrant; sepals and petals glossy deep brown-purple, the latter narrow and spiral; lip bright yellow, and flattish from above. Stems leafy, 1 1/4ft. to 2ft. high. North America, 1759. This species much resembles C. pubescens in habit and flower. Hardy. (B. M. 3024.) C. Petri (Mr. Peter Veitch's).* fl., sepals white, with green veins; petals light brownish, green at the base, covered on the whole border with long hairs; lip greenish-brown. Malay Archipelago, 1880. Allied to C. Dayanum. C. philippinense (Philippine). A synonym of C. loevigatum. C. pubescens (downy).* fl. large; sepals and petals yellowish-brown, marked with darker lines; lip pale yellow and flattened laterally; petals narrow, spirally twisted, exceeding the large showy lip in length. May, June. Stems 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. high, pubescent. North America, 1790. A handsome hardy species, the root of which is employed as a nervous stimulant, in the United States, and is considered equal to Valerian. The fresh plant sometimes causes the same symptoms of irritant poisoning as Rhus Toxicodendron. (G. C. n. s., xix. 785.) C. purpuratum (purple). fl. very like those of C. barbatum, except that the dorsal sepal has more pure white at the end. Winter. l. beautifully spotted. Sumatra, 1836. (B. R. 1991.) C. Sedeni. See Selenipedium Sedeni.

C. selligerum (saddle-bearing).* fl., scapes erect, bearing two or three flowers, which are larger than those of either parent; upper sepal white, with broad blackish-crimson veins; inferior sepal smaller and whitish; petals about 3in. long, deflexed with a partial twist, and traversed by crimson veins; lip much like that of C. barbatum, but lighter in colour. A very fine hybrid between C. barbatum and C. loevigatum, but quite distinct from either., for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons.

C. spectabile (showy).* fl. large, rounder in outline than is usual in the genus, the pure white sepals and petals being broadly ovate and not longer than the lip, whilst the large pouch, which is of a beautiful soft rich rose colour, is very much inflated. June. l. bright and light green, profusely furnished with soft white downy hairs. h. 1 1/2ft. to 3ft. Northern United States, 1731. It may be grown successfully either in a pot or the open border, thriving well in the shady part of a Rhododendron bed. (Gn., March, 1877.) There are one or two forms.

C. Spicerianum (Spicer's).* fl., upper sepal white, with a central purple line; lateral sepals greenish, also with a central line; lip greenish-shining; top of the column white, spotted with violet. East Indies, 1879. This handsome stove species comes close to C. Fairieanum. (B. M. 6490.) C. Stonei (Stone's).* fl., sepals large, broad, of a china-white hue, striped and streaked with red and purple, and shaded with ochreous yellow; petals 4in. to 5in. long, narrow, same colour as sepals; lip dull purple, with reddish veins, large, having a very curious pouch, somewhat resembling a Turkish slipper in form; scape usually three-flowered. l. about 1ft. in length, obtuse at both ends, dark shining green. Brazil, 1852. A very handsome species. (B. M. 5349.) There are two or three varieties, all worthy of cultivation. C. superbiens (superb).* fl. very large; sepals and petals large, broad, white, beautifully streaked and dotted with rich brown; pouch also very large, prominent, of a uniform rich brown; scape erect, one-flowered. Spring and summer. l. oblong, blunt at the apex, beautifully mottled with dark green upon a yellowish-green ground. Java, 1865. Stove. SYN. C. Veitchianum. (F. d. S. 1996.) C. Veitchianum (Veitch's). A synonym of C. superbiens. C. venustum (handsome).* fl. medium size, solitary; sepals and petals greenish-white or pink, striped with bright green, the latter fringed in a somewhat remarkable manner; lip yellowish-green. Winter. l. short, dark bluish-green above, curiously mottled and blotched with pale green, whilst the under side is pale purple. Nepaul, 1816. Cool-house species. (B. R. 788.) C. vernixium (glossy).* A hybrid raised between C. Argus and C. villosum. fl. 4in. or 5in. across solitary, on a stout hairy scape 1ft. high; in shape, they are nearest to C. villosum, with the petals longer, narrower, and less deflexed; in colour, they present a remarkable combination of ochraceous brown, crimson, and green, with fainter spots on the petals than in C. Argus, and with the glossy varnished surface of C. villosum. Of robust habit, the leaves being as large as those of C. villosum, with the hieroglyphic markings of C. Argus.

C. vexillarium (standard).* A very handsome cross between C. Fairieanum and C. barbatum, the flowers being exactly intermediate, and combining, in a marked degree, the beauties of both parents. Sepals white, tinged with pale green at the base, and streaked and shaded throughout with soft purple; petals deflected, purple, slightly shaded with green; pouch pale brown, tinged with yellowish-green, and veined with pale green. l. pale green, blotched with a darker shade of the same colour. Very rare. (G. C. n. s., xiii. 781, under the name of C. selligerum.) C. villosum (villous).* fl. solitary, often measuring 5in. across, and having a fine glossy appearance over their whole surface, which is orange-red, intermixed with light green and dark purple; lip large, protruding, bright light brown. May. l. light green, freckled on the lower part with dark spots. h. 1ft. India. Stove. (I. H. 1857, 126.) The following hybrids are as yet very rare in cultivation: Ainsworthii, Arthurianum, calanthum, calophyllum, chloroneurum, lucidum, marmorophyllum, Meirax, melanophthalmum, patens, politum, porphyrospilum, pycnopterum, superciliare, Swannianum, and tessellatum.