WHERE’S WILDLIFE • WILDFLOWER FIELD GUIDE

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper

Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin

sy-prih-PEE-dee-um par-vi-FLOR-um · genus and species pronunciation [5]

A golden slipper, dark twisting petals, and beautifully veined leaves brighten moist northern habitats.

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper field photograph. Tap the photo to enlarge.

NATIVE • WETLAND & WOODLAND ORCHID

At a glance

Family Orchidaceae · orchid family
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms May–June in the Upper Midwest
Habitat Fens, moist meadows, conifer swamps & open forests
Height About 6–17 inches (15–43 cm) [1]

Other common names
Lesser Yellow Lady’s-slipper · Northern Yellow Lady’s-slipper.

Look in moist to wet habitats, often with mineral-rich groundwater. A calcareous fen is a wetland supplied by calcium-rich water. [3]

Range Map

Open the range map to explore photographed sightings and their locations.

How to recognize it

Follow three field clues

01 · Small yellow slipper
The inflated yellow pouch is about ¾–1¼ inches long, with purple markings around and inside its opening.

02 · Dark twisting petals
Narrow side petals are usually dark purple-brown and twist away from the pouch.

03 · Clasping leaves
Several alternate, oval leaves have prominent parallel veins and bases that sheath the stem. [1]

Where and when to look

Search fens, springy forest edges, moist meadows, and open conifer or mixed woods. [4]

Late May through June is a useful search window in Wisconsin. Flowering time shifts with weather and location. [3]

The “slipper” is a petal

The pouch is a modified lower petal called the labellum. Look closely at its opening for purple markings, then compare the dark side petals and erect upper sepal. [4]

A closer look

A bee’s winding route

Small bees pollinate yellow lady’s-slippers. Flower size and fragrance help influence which visitors can successfully pass through the pouch and transfer pollen. [2]

An underground partnership

The dust-like seeds lack a stored food supply. Germination and early growth depend on relationships with soil fungi. [4]

Photograph orchids where they grow and protect the soil around them.

From flower to seed capsule

A fertilized flower can develop an oblong capsule holding many tiny seeds. In Wisconsin, fruiting commonly follows in late June and July. [3]

Wider habitat views can help you recognize the moist places this orchid favors.

Field photographs

Explore all 26 field photographs, including flowers, veined leaves, groups of plants, and wider habitat views. Select any photo to enlarge it.

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN9289 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN9289

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN51679 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN51679

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5159 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5159

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN8109 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN8109

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5198 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5198

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN8263 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN8263

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — veined leaves and stem, DSCN9028 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN9028

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5079 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5079

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5062 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5062

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4974 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4974

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN9896 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN9896

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN0258 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN0258

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN0058 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN0058

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN80918 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN80918

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN8224 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN8224

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4790 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4790

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4779 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4779

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4715 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4715

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4660 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4660

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN52269 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN52269

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5235 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5235

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5188 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5188

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4799 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4799

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN49998 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN49998

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN5012 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN5012

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) — field photograph, DSCN4999 — Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper · DSCN4999

Yellow lady’s-slippers can look alike

Compare the whole plant

Large Yellow Lady’s-slipper (C. parviflorum var. pubescens) generally has a larger pouch and often paler, greenish-yellow petals and sepals. Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper var. makasin usually has a smaller pouch and darker purple-brown petals. [1]

Hybrids with Small White Lady’s-slipper can have intermediate traits. Compare flower size, petals, leaves, and habitat together. [1]

Range & sightings

Native across much of Canada and parts of the northern United States, including the Great Lakes region. It occurs in scattered suitable moist habitats. [4]

Explore reported sightings on the observation map.

Observations show reported sightings; they do not define the plant’s complete native range.

Keep learning

Study the yellow pouch, dark twisting petals, and clasping leaves—then practice recognizing wetland and woodland wildflowers in the quiz.

Sources & further reading

[1] Minnesota Wildflowers — identification, common names & flowering
[2] Go Orchids · North American Orchid Conservation Center — varieties & pollinators
[3] Wisconsin DNR — habitat, identification & seasonal timing
[4] New Jersey Natural Heritage Program — variety profile, life history & range
[5] NC State Extension — genus and species pronunciation

Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper clipart

Flower Close-up · IMG0406

Transparent PNG · Personal & commercial use included
1920 × 2560 pixels · $1.99
Preview watermarks are removed from the download.

Flowering Stem & Leaves · IMG0407

Transparent PNG · Personal & commercial use included
2560 × 2560 pixels · $1.99
Preview watermarks are removed from the download.