Fairy Slippers

Compared to http://www.vtladyslipper.com/vtlscwebpg3...

The fairy slipper is only 10-14 cm in height and grows throughout Western/Northwestern USA, Western Canada, Northern Russia, Siberia, Scandinavia, and Japan. It bears only one flower per stem and only lives approximately 5 years. They are incredibly hard to cultivate due to a specific mycorrhizal dependence.

The Showy Lady's slipper, on the other hand, grows to be 2-3 feet tall with 2-3 flowers per stem. It is native to Eastern region of the United States and south east regions of Canada. It is even the state flower of New Hampshire and Minnesota. Beware, they are protected in many states, and are known to cause dermatitis of the hands and face.

I should actually accredit my mother for this photo :) And "fairy slippers" is much more appropriate considering how dainty these are! I think your id suggestion is correct, thank you Craig :)

I have to admit I am a tad disappointed to hear how pollinators never return to the flower due to the lack of nectar. I've always found orchids to be spectacularly interesting in the way they fool their pollinators, and many are very successful. Unfortunately these ones will never be "successful" and they have a short life in the first place. Too bad :(

Would sooo love to see these in the wild! Beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing this.