Dwarf form of Cypripedium parviflorum in Newfoundland

[toddybear]

I rescued this small clump of native Cypripedium parviflorums from northern Newfoundland last summer. Considering they were dug in July, they came through fine. I was hoping they would turn out to be the Newfoundland form called planipetalum but alas, they are not. However, the plants are only 15 cm high with no hint of brown in the petals...quite delightful!

 

[raymond]

very nice

 

[SlipperKing]

Nice Todd. Why the rescue?

 

[Jorch]

I love the color! :drool:

 

[L I Jane]

Beautiful!

 

[nikv]

Very nice! And I'll also chime in. Why the rescue? Was its habitat about to be destroyed?

 

[Drorchid]

Very yellow!

Robert

 

[toddybear]

Yes, a parking lot was being constructed where they grew....thankfully, it was the only clump being affected....mind you the perimeter of the parking lot is now dotted with lady's-slippers that barely escaped!

 

[nikv]

I'm glad you were able to rescue them! They are indeed lovely!

 

[bench72]

"they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"

good work rescuing these beauties!

 

[NYEric]

Damn metric conversions! 6" pretty small. Thanx for posting.

 

[SlipperFan]

"they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"

I hope the rest don't get trampled. Good rescue, indeed!

 

[biothanasis]

WOW!!! They are so beautiful!!!

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Very cool Todd! I agree they aren't the planipetalum type, but that form really is variable anyway. It will be interesting to see if yours change stature over time. Lovely lemony flowers and the orange-red around the lip orifice and staminode is a nice touch.

 

[Kevin]

Very nice colour on those. Haven't seen many that short. As for the var. planipetalum, check out this link http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101551 What is called var. planipetalum is actually just var. pubescens that looks a bit different due to the habitat. This petal feature does not breed true, since it is an evironmental factor, not genetics.

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Very nice colour on those. Haven't seen many that short. As for the var. planipetalum, check out this link http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101551 What is called var. planipetalum is actually just var. pubescens that looks a bit different due to the habitat. This petal feature does not breed true, since it is an evironmental factor, not genetics.

Most botanists agree with this and Dr. Charles Sheviak has even done experiments with varieties pubescens and "planipetalum" to prove the latter to be an ecotype. However, I know of a couple folks who have been growing this variety for several years and the petals have remained more or less flat and the plants haven't gained in stature. So, perhaps the jury is still out on whether there is no genetic influence.

 

[Kevin]

I think they will continue to have that feature, as long as the habitat remains the same. The people you know, where are they growing them, and where did the plants come from? I wouldn't mind getting one of these and seeing how it does here. This 'variety' has been found in Manitoba, but I've never seen it.

 

[fundulopanchax]

A very pretty clone! Congratulations!

Ron

 

[parvi_17]

I love it!

 

[cyprimaniac]

hey,
this is an interresting discussion about the "planipetalum".

I am not a botanist,
but in fact, the RHS accepts it as "distinct",

and you can find an accepted hybrid, made with planipetalum.
so you can see,
that Cyp. Betty Maier has the "flat" petals from its parent:

Cypr. Betty Maier (macranthos X planipetalum)

otherwise it would be like the famous Aki (or Gisela),
which ALWAYS has twisted petals,
to see in Werner Froschs web site:
http://www.w-frosch.de/Cypris/Hybriden/aki.htm
http://www.w-frosch.de/Cypris/Hybriden/gisel.htm

or in my pic.
Cypr. Gisela (macranthos X pubescens)

enjoy
dieter