Cypripedium arietinum Ait. f.
Species Image Gallery
(opens in a new window)
 
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: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Pinus banksiana
 
RARITY STATUS
 
Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):
Endangered
Nature Conservancy Status:
G3 N3 S1
Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:
None
COSEWIC Status:
None
 
Cypripedium arietinum is endangered in Saskatchewan because it is rare and 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 horticulture.
 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
 
Height: 10 – 30 cm
Stem: leafy, erect
Leaves: cauline, ascending to spreading, 3 – 4, along middle of stem, 5 – 10 cm long, narrowly elliptic to ovate, finely ciliate
Inflorescence: flowers usually solitary
Flowers: calyx 1.5 – 2.5 cm long, elliptic to ovate, green with reddish-brown markings, lateral calyx distinct; corolla spreading, twisted, linear to lanceolate, green with reddish-brown markings, twisted; labellum to 2 cm long, irregularly triangular, white with green tip, with reddish reticulate pattern towards apex; staminode suborbicular
Fruits: capsule
 
CYPRIPEDIUM KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN
 
1 Leaves 2, basal or sub-basal
C. acaule
1 Leaves at least 3, cauline
2
   
2 Lateral sepals distinct; labellum irregularly triangular
C. arietinum
2 Lateral sepals at least partially connate; labellum rounded
3
   
3 Labellum yellow
4
3 Labellum white or pink, but with coloured veins
6
 
4 Sepals oval; labellum 1 – 2 cm long
C. passerinum
4 Sepals lanceolate; labellum 2 – 5 cm long
5
 
5 Abaxial surface of distal sheathing bract sparsely pubescent; labellum 2 – 3 cm long; strongly sweet scented
C. parviflorum var. makasin
5 Abaxial surface of distal sheathing bract silvery pubescent; labellum 2 – 5 cm long; musty to rose scented
C. parviflorum var. pubescens
 
6 Calyx and corolla white; corolla flat; lip white or pinkish
C. reginae
6 Calyx greenish to brown or purple, corolla white to brown-purple or greenish and twisted; lip white or ivory
C. candidum