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Conserving and restoring
America's native plants |
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CPC National Collection Plant Profile
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Cypripedium kentuckiense
| Family: |
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family) |
| Common Names: |
Southern lady’s-slipper, Kentucky Ladyslipper |
| Taxon Synonyms: |
Cypripedium calceolus L. var. pubescens, Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens |
| Author: |
C. F. Reed |
| Growth
Habit: |
Perennial |
| CPC
Number: |
1235 |
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enlarge
| Photographer:
Jason Singhurst |
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| Primary
custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered
Plants is: |
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| David C. Berkshire contributed to this Plant Profile. |
Cypripedium kentuckiense
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The Southern lady’s slipper orchid is a tall, stately perennial herb with the largest flowers of any Lady’s slipper (i.e., Cypripedium) known. Once seen in flower it is never forgotten.
The stems are erect, 3.5-9.7 dm tall with 2-9 alternate ovate to ovate lanceolate leaves to 15 cm wide by ~24 cm long with 9-14 conspicuous parallel veins. Underground rhizomes allow the plant to undergo periods of dormancy. Flowers, 1 or 2, are terminal with a large, cream-colored (rarely white or yellow) lips, sepals and petals yellow-green, heavily striped, spotted or mottled with maroon to entirely maroon (maroon pigment lacking in some members of at least one Arkansas population). Lip 30-52 mm deep by 41-65 mm long and with a dorsal opening that is large and round (sometimes contracted and narrow in some Arkansas populations) and usually about two-thirds the size of the total lip circumference. Dorsal sepals 24-65 mm wide by 61-126 mm long. Synsepal 12-40 mm wide by 55-103 mm long. Lateral petals 0.7-1.5 mm wide by 84-156 mm long. Staminode more or less ovate, 10-18 mm wide by 17-24 mm long, yellow, often with a few irregularly scattered maroon spots.
There are usually some irregular teeth on the rim of the opening into the lip and often some evaginated angular bumps on the vein on the lower part of the lip. There are maroon lines on the veins inside the lip (an exception shown in one Arkansas population). The lip is always very deep in relation to length and does not extend shoe-like beyond the lip opening as it does in the various other yellow Lady’s slippers species. The orifice takes up most of the top of the lip. The dorsal sepal hangs over the lip like a canopy rather than erect as in C. parviflorum and C. pubescens and the pedicel is very long (12.7-20.3 cm) compared to the shorter pedicelled C. parviflorum and C. pubescens. Basal leaves are usually very broad-ovate. Fresh plants have a raspberry odor for several days, then becoming musty-smokey in odor and eventually odorless. The elliptical fruit is a capsule about 3-6 cm long and can produce thousands of minute seeds (Reed, 1981; Medley, 1985; Liggio and Liggio, 1999; Correll and Johnston, 1979).
FLOWER PHENOLIOGY: Blooms April to June and capsules develop through the summer months.
| Distribution
& Occurrence |
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State Range
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Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia |
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Habitat
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In Kentucky and Tennessee C. kentuckiense occurs in mesic forests on stream floodplains that are annually inundated by high water. In the southwestern “center” (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas) of its range, the habitat is more variable and C. kentuckiense may occur on mesic to dry-mesic forests on floodplains, ravine slopes, acid seep forests (Arkansas) and rarely in slash pine flats (Louisiana). In most of the range where C. kentuckiense and C. pubescens are sympatric, the former will be found in floodplains while the latter will be found in slope forests. In Arkansas C. kentuckiense can also be found in slope forests. Populations in Georgia occur on forested springhead seeps in sandy soils (Cammack, S., 2000; Georgia Natural Heritage Program, 2003). |
Distribution
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This species seems to have two centers of abundance, one in the Appalachian Plateaus of Kentucky and extreme northern Tennessee, and one in the Coastal Plain, Interior Low Plateaus and Interior Highlands of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Most of the historical populations are located in the western center of the later range. Most of the still extant populations in the western center are in Arkansas (most of the Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas and many Arkansas populations are extirpated).
Physiographic distribution by state is as follows:
Alabama: East Gulf Coastal Plain and Piedmont
Arkansas: Boston and Ouachita Mountains of Ozark Region of the Interior Highlands and upper West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Kentucky: Northeastern Bluegrass Subsection of Bluegrass Section of Interior Low Plateaus, Allegheny and Cumberland Plateaus Sections Unglaciated Appalachian Plateaus.
Louisiana: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Mississippi: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Oklahoma: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain and Ouachita Mountains of Interior Highlands.
Tennessee: Cumberland Plateau Section of Unglaciated Appalachian Plateaus.
Texas: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain: Cass, Harrison, Nacogdoches, Newton, Red River, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby and Tyler counties.
Populations in Georgia occur on forested springhead seeps in sandy soils (Cammack, S., 2000; Georgia Natural Heritage Program, 2003).
Virginia (Medley, 1985; Weldy et al., 1996). |
Number Left
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Estimates of 57 sites in seven states with a known total of 2,683 plants have been reported (Medley, Max E. 1985; National Forest reports, 1950-1989). Certain populations are reported presumed exterminated because those populations have not been visible during field surveys. However, because populations of various terrestrial orchids fluctuate greatly from year to year to the point of not appearing at all some years, repeated surveys to confirm presence or absence are required (Seevers and Lang, 1999). The rhizomes of some terrestrial orchids have the ability to remain dormant underground for up to 4 years (Kaye, T.N. 1999). Dormancy is broken in response to more favorable conditions, possibly for example, from formation of gaps by fallen trees (Liggio, 2003). Also, C. kentuckiense may be a colonizing plant because C. kentuckiense appears to respond positively in some situations of low levels of disturbance. Dormancy is thought to occur in response to flowering in some terrestrial orchids (Kaye, T.N. 1999). However, those populations that experience direct or indirect habitat destruction, alteration of erosion and hydrology of sites such as from certain timber cutting practices and development, are no doubt extirpated. |
State/Area
Protection
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State/Area |
Rank |
Status |
Date |
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Alabama |
S1 |
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8/28/1991 |
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Arkansas |
S3 |
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1/13/1988 |
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Georgia |
S1 |
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Kentucky |
S2S3 |
S |
10/11/1990 |
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Louisiana |
S1 |
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1/9/1986 |
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Mississippi |
SU |
PR |
5/8/1985 |
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Oklahoma |
S2 |
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Tennessee |
S1S2 |
E |
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Texas |
S1 |
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1/7/1987 |
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Virginia |
S1 |
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| Conservation,
Ecology & Research |
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Ecological
Relationships
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Bees attracted by the scent result in the cross-pollination of Cypripedium orchids. Viability of Cypripedium seeds is variable and dispersal is by water or air (Seevers and Lang, 1999). Seed germination in orchids requires the early association of the germinating seed with specific soil fungi (H.J. Muir, 1989). The successful growth of orchids requires this continuous association with specific soil fungi. |
Threats
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C. kentuckiense is adversely affected by:
• Direct or indirect habitat destruction
• erosion and alteration of hydrology of sites, such as from certain timber cutting practices (like clearcutting)
• agriculture and development
• Over collection by plant enthusiasts or collectors of traditional medicines is responsible for the loss of populations. |
Current Research Summary
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The horticultural industry is exploring propagation methods by means of tissue culture and division of rhizomes for this species and other members of the genus. Researchers at the Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK and others are investigating methods of long-term storage of terrestrial orchid seed with their fungal symbionts and other cryopreservatives (Pritchard, et al, 1999; C.B. Wood, H.W. Pritchard and A.P. Millar, 2000; H.W. Pritchard and P.T. Seaton, 1993). Studies concerning the reproductive biology and ecology for the genus are documented (T.N. Kaye, 1999; Severs and Lang, 1999). |
Current Management Summary
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Management studies for other species in the genus (T.N. Kaye, 1999; Severs and Lang, 1999) can be applied to management of C. kentuckiense. Management includes protection of forest habitat, avoidance of clear-cutting, practicing controlled burning and regulation of livestock grazing. Surveys for existing and new populations are necessary. |
Research Management Needs
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• Protect remaining forest habitat
• Avoid clear-cutting
• Management of burning
• Management of livestock grazing
• Seed banking and propagation
• Field surveys
• Control collection from wild populations |
Monitoring Efforts
Ex Situ Needs
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Seed banking and propagation |
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| Books (Single Authors)
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| Ajilvsgi, G. 1979. Wild flowers of the Big Thicket, east Texas and Western Louisiana. Texas A & M University Press, College Station. 360p. |
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| Correll, D.S. 1950. Native orchids of North America north of Mexico. Stanford University Press, California. 399p. |
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| Correll, D.S.; Johnston, M.C. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Renner: Texas Research Foundation. 1881p. |
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| Georgia Natural Heritage Program. 2003. Tracking list of special concern plants of Georgia. August 27, 2003. Social Circle, GA.: Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. |
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| Poole, J.M.; Carr, W.R.; Price, D.M.; Singhurst, J.R. 2007. Rare Plants of Texas. College Station, Texas. Texas A&M University Press. 640p. |
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| Reid, C. 2004. Rare plant species of Louisiana. Baton Rouge. LA. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program. |
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| Books (Sections)
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| Cammack, S.; Patrick, T. 2000. A Kentucky find: the Georgia discovery of the Kentucky ladyslipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense). Tipularia 15: 17-22. |
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| Poole, J.M.; Carr, W.R.; Price, D.M.; Singhurst, J.S. 2007. Rare Plants of Texas. Texas A&M Univ. Press. |
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| Journal Articles
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| Allen, C.M.; Thames, S.; Trichell, S.; Whitem, J. 2004. A quantitative study of the vegetation surrounding yellow lady slipper orchid (Cypripedium kentuckiense, Orchidaceae) populations at Fort Polk in west central Louisiana. Sida. 21: 409-17. |
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| Atwood, J.T. 1984. In defense of Cypripedium kentuckiense. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 53: 835-41. |
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| Brown. P.M. 1995. Cypripedium kentuckiense: a retrospective of the literature. N. Amer. Native Orchid Jour. 1: 255-66. |
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| Case, M.A. 1994. Extensive variation in the levels of genetic diversity & degree of relatedness among five species of Cypripedium (Orchidacae). Amer. J. Botany. 81: 175-84. |
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| Case, M.A.; Mlodozeniec, H.T; Wallace, L.E.; Weldy, T.W. 1998. Conservation genetics and taxonomic status of the rare Kentucky lady’s slipper: Cypripedium kentuckiense (Orchidaceae). American Journal of Botany. 85, 12: 1779-1786. |
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| Ertter, B. 2000. Floristic surprises in North America north of Mexico. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 87: 81-109. |
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| MacRoberts, M.H.; MacRoberts, B.R. 1995. Noteworthy vascular plant collections on the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana. Phytologia. 78: 291-313. |
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| MacRoberts, M.H.; MacRoberts, B.R. 1997. Floristics of beech-hardwood forests in East Texas. Phytologia. 82: 20-29. |
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| MacRoberts, M.H.; MacRoberts, B.R. 1998. Noteworthy vascular plant collections on the Angelina & Sabine National Forests, Texas. Phytologia. 84: 1-27. |
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| Reed, C.F. 1982. Additional notes on Cypripedium kentuckiense Reed. Phytologia. 50: 286-88. |
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| Sanders, R.W. 1997. Vegetation of Lennox Woods Preserve, Red River County, Texas. Texas Restoration Notes, Texas Soc. Ecol. Restoration. 2: 1. |
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| Sheviak, C.J. 1992. Natural hybridization between Cypripedium montanum & its yellow-lipped relatives. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 64: 546-59. |
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| Personal Communications
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| Cammack, S. 2000. Personal communication to Carr, W.R., 2003 in: Working draft of 27 August 2003. An Annotated List of the G3/T3 and Rarer Plant Taxa of TX. |
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| Reports
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| Carr, W.R. 2003. Working draft of 27 August 2003. An Annotated List of the G3/T3 and Rarer Plant Taxa of TX. |
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