Naughty Flower

Cypripedium acaule:


The above photograph is a picture of one of the native lady slipper orchids, or sometimes called moccasin flowers.

The species name, acaule is Latin for "stemless".

This particular species seems to be rich in orchid lore and legend.

There exists a Native American legend in which a woman runs through the woods to carry medicine back to her dying village. In the process, she wears out her moccasins. Because her feet are no longer protected by her moccasins, and she must keep running, her feet begin to bleed. She finally reaches her village and is able to deliver the life saving medicine. It was thought that these "moccasin flowers" sprung from the drops of blood which came from her bleeding feet.

Now for the naughty part...

Here is an excerpt from Orchid Fever by author Eric Hansen:

The discussion shifted to a raunchy joke about Cypripedium acaule and the origin of the name Cypripedium. The word is derived from the Greek Kypris pedion, which translates as "the genital region of Aphrodite." One look at the wrinkled, pink, pouting, vertical lips of Cypripedium acaule explains it all.


Photographic credits goes to Thomas, my photography mentor, who took this exquisite photograph for me.