Cypripedium arietinum Ait. f.
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TAXONOMY
 
Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: Cypripedium
 
Species Synonyms: Criosanthes arietina (Ait. f.) House
Common Names: ram’s-head ladyslipper
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
Canada: east-central Saskatchewan – Manitoba –Ontario – southern Quebec, Nova Scotia
Saskatchewan: east-central Saskatchewan; Prince Albert – Hudson Bay
Ecoregion: Boreal Transition
 
HABITAT
 
Saskatchewan: pine woods
Associated Species: bearberry, jackpine
 
RARITY STATUS
 
Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):
Endangered
Nature Conservancy Status:
G3 N3 S1
Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:
None
COSEWIC Status:
None
 
Ram’s-head ladyslipper is endangered in Saskatchewan because it is rare and is restricted to a small region of the province. Most local populations are small. In addition, immediate or probable threats have been identified for this species, including collection for gardening.
 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
 
Height: 10 – 30 cm
Stem: leafy, erect
Leaves: on the stem, ascending to spreading, 3 – 4, along middle of stem, 5 – 10 cm long, narrowly elliptic to ovate, finely ciliate
Inflorescence: flowers usually solitary
Flowers: sepals 1.5 – 2.5 cm long, elliptic to oval, green with reddish-brown markings, lateral sepals distinct; petals spreading, twisted, linear to lance-shaped, green with reddish-brown markings, twisted; lip to 2 cm long, irregularly triangular, white with green tip, with reddish net pattern towards tip; sterile stamen nearly round
Fruits: capsule
 
CYPRIPEDIUM KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN
 
1 Leaves 2, basal or sub-basal
C. acaule
1 Leaves at least 3, on the stem
2
   
2 Lateral sepals distinct; lip irregularly triangular
C. arietinum
2 Lateral sepals at least partially fused; lip rounded
3
   
3 Lip yellow
4
3 Lip white or pink, but with coloured veins
6
 
4 Sepals oval; lip 1 – 2 cm long
C. passerinum
4 Sepals lance-shaped; lip 2 – 5 cm long
5
 
5 Lower surface of distal sheathing bract sparsely hairy; lip 2 – 3 cm long; strongly sweet scented
C. parviflorum var. makasin
5 Lower surface of distal sheathing bract silvery hairy; lip 2 – 5 cm long; musty to rose scented
C. parviflorum var. pubescens
 
6 Sepals and petals white; petals flat; lip white or pinkish
C. reginae
6 Sepals greenish to brown or purple, petals white to brown-purple or greenish and twisted; lip white or ivory
C. candidum