J20150627-0047—Cypripedium californicum—RPBG

Cypripedium californicum—California lady's slipper. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 4.2 (limited distribution). It is listed as "endangered" in Oregon. Also included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "endangered." Distribution limited to northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. A population once found in Marin County is now extinct in all likelihood. Prefers sepentine soils and continuous moisture around the root. It does like to grow on cliff sides but is always found where there are seeps. Pollinated by a small carpenter bee, Ceratina acantha. Extremely difficult to grow in gardens, a fact that does not stop some orchid fanciers from attempting to do so. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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