Abundance of Pink Lady Slippers

The naturalists of Hawk Mountain have observed an especially high number of pink lady slippers (Cypripedium acaule) blooming along the slopes of the mountain this year!

This species of orchid enjoys acidic, well-draining soil with partial shade. Though it’s range reaches up to Canada and down through Appalachia, pink lady slippers are considered endangered in Illinois and Tennessee, Vulnerable in New York, and Unusual in Georgia. As with other orchid species, they have a symbiotic relationship with fungi, which they rely on to germinate their seeds.

Photo by Bracken Brown.