"The Small White Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium candidum)... historically found in Saskatchewan... has been missing since its last recorded occurrence somewhere near Indian Head in 1895.
"This plant takes 13 years to mature and produce a flower, so conservation of its habitat is crucial" says Sarah Vinge of Nature Saskatchewan's Rare Plant Rescue program. "Landowners and naturalists are needed to watch for this species in the spring. There may still be populations of this plant in the Qu'Appelle Valley, from Indian Head to the Manitoba border or possibly along the Pipestone Creek. The hope is that by creating awareness about the status of the Small White Lady's Slipper, someone may find this plant and will call-in to report the sighting." Currently, the closest known population of this species to Saskatchewan is near Brandon, Manitoba. The Small White Lady's Slipper is shade intolerant, so it tends to grow in open prairie and is often found in marshy or ground seepage areas, on south facing slopes with sandy soil. Vinge... notes that "suitable habitat can be quite obvious in the spring, as seepage areas often produce a build-up of ice that remains once the snow has melted. These areas are good places to search once the weather warms up." The Small White Lady's Slipper thrives with rotational grazing, so it may be found in native pastures. Cattle producers can play an important role in the survival of this species. The Small White Lady's Slipper is a perennial orchid that flowers from late May - June and grows in clumps of 3-60 stems reaching between 20- 35 cm in height. The flower is quite obvious: small, white, sometimes with purple veins, and resembles a slipper. It also has two yellow-green petals that are twisted and grow on either side of the slipper. Threats to the plant include lack of prairie fire, and invasion by shrubs or trees. The Small White Lady's Slipper is an endangered plant species in Canada." URL : http://www.kiplingcitizen.com/home/2008/05/16/ladys-slipper/ ***************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
