Showy Lady's Slipper

Description:

Brightly colored orchid. 3 white pointed upper petals, 1 larger inflated pink and white lower petal. Hairy oval leaves clasp the stem.

Habitat:

Spotted on Hwy 29 near Pine Lake. The lady's slipper grows in spruce and tamarack bogs, swamps, wet meadows and cool damp woods.

Notes:

Official state flower of Minnesota. It is the largest and most impressive of the orchids found in the state. It should never be handled or dug up, as it takes up to 15 years to mature and form flowers.