Lady's Slipper Orchids

orchids · insects · flowers

Slipper-shaped flowers. Lady's slipper orchids have a special pouch on their flower that looks like a tiny shoe. This pouch is actually a clever trap that catches insects and guides them to help pollinate the flower.

Insect trap design. When an insect lands inside the pouch looking for nectar, the slippery sides make it slip down. The insect has to climb back up the only way out, and while climbing, it brushes against special pollen packets called pollinia that stick to its body.

Pollination helpers. As the insect climbs toward the exit, it moves past the staminode, a special part of the flower. When the insect leaves and visits another lady's slipper orchid, it deposits the pollen and fertilizes that flower.

Many varieties worldwide. There are about 165 different species of lady's slipper orchids, divided into five main groups with scientific names like Cypripedium, Paphiopedilum, and Phragmipedium. You can find them in different climates around the world.