Showy Ladyslipper

Description:

This large orchid is Minnesota's state flower. It is colored a bright pink and brilliant white that usually has a single blossom on each stem, but may have two. White petals hover over the white and pink-striped pouch. Leaves are hairy and clasp the stem.

Habitat:

Northern forests, bogs, wetlands, etc, but the soils must be damp.

Notes:

We found this patch of showy ladyslippers in a wet forest just off a parking lot to a hike we planned on taking within Voyageurs National Park.