| Cypripedium candidum |
| White lady slipper |
Key Characteristics
Small orchid (20-30 cm) of prairie fens and lakeplain prairies; leaves narrowly elliptic; flower a small ivory-white pouch-like slipper.
Status and Rank
- State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
- State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
- Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure
Occurrences
| County Name | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Allegan | 1 | 2005 |
| Barry | 1 | 1969 |
| Berrien | 7 | 2007 |
| Branch | 1 | 1970 |
| Calhoun | 2 | 2005 |
| Cass | 7 | 2007 |
| Clinton | 1 | 1884 |
| Genesee | 1 | 1997 |
| Hillsdale | 5 | 2004 |
| Huron | 1 | 1990 |
| Ingham | 1 | 2009 |
| Ionia | 1 | 1884 |
| Jackson | 8 | 2006 |
| Kalamazoo | 9 | 2003 |
| Kent | 2 | 2004 |
| Lenawee | 3 | 2001 |
| Livingston | 14 | 2007 |
| Oakland | 15 | 2008 |
| St. Clair | 1 | 1991 |
| St. Joseph | 1 | 2007 |
| Tuscola | 2 | 1994 |
| Van Buren | 2 | 2005 |
| Washtenaw | 19 | 2006 |
![Occurrence Map for [Sname]](/mnfi/maptmp/NFR_Distributions12657748915756.png)
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
Found in alkaline wetlands in southern Lower Michigan and occasionally in lakeplain wet prairies along coastal areas in Thumb region.
Natural Community Types
Associated Plants
Tamarack, grass-of-parnassus, shrubby cinquefoil, Virginia mountain mint, Ohio goldenrod, Riddell's goldenrod, Indian grass, hardstem bulrush, three-square, twig-rush, prairie dropseed, rush, golden-seeded spike-rush, spike-rush, joe-pye weed, common boneset, little bluestem, big bluestem, Indian grass, Indian plantain, prairie fringed-orchid, blue-joint grass, whorled loosestrife, black-eyed Susan, marsh fern, bog birch, dogwoods, willows, alder-leaved buckthorn, meadowsweet, water hemlock, bog clearweed, strict sedge, and marsh bellflower.
Management
Requires protection of hydrology, groundwater source, and natural disturbance regime. This species benefits from fen management that includes prescribed fire and brush removal, which maintains open habitat and reduces competing woody vegetation. Control/remove invasive species, especially glossy buckthorn and purple loosestrife. Protect habitat from being drained and developed.
General Survey Guidelines
Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgement of the investigator.
Survey Methods
- Meander search
Survey Period: From third week of May to third week of June
More Information
See MNFI Species AbstractReferences
Survey References
- Elzinga, C.L., D.W. Salzer, and J.W. Willoughby. 1998. Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations. The Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management, Denver. BLM Technical Reference 1730-1. 477pp.
- Goff, G.F., G.A. Dawson, and J.J. Rochow. 1982. Site examination for Threatened and Endangered plant species. Environmental Management 6(4): 307-316
- Nelson, J.R. 1986. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques For Impact Assessment. Natural Areas Journal 5(3):18-30.
- Nelson, J.R. 1987. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques for Impact Assessment. In: Conservation and management of rare and endangered plants. Ed. T.S. Elias. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 8pp.
- Nelson, J.R. 1984. Rare Plant Field Survey Guidelines. In: J.P. Smith and R. York. Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of California. 3rd Ed. California Native Plant Society, Berkeley. 174pp.
Technical References
- Case, F.W., Jr. 1987. Orchids of the Western Great Lakes Region. Revised ed. Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bull. 48. 251pp.
- Coffin, B. and L. Pfannmuller, eds. 1988. Minnesota's Endangered Flora and Fauna. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 473pp.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee. 2002. Flora of North America, North of Mexico. Volume 26: Magnoliaphyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales. Oxford University Press, New York. 723pp.
- Gleason, H. A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second edition. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 910pp.
- Gray, A. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany; eighth ed. Van Nostrand Reinghold, New York. 1632pp.
- Holmgren, N.H. 1998. Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Illustrations of the vascular plants of Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 937pp.
- Homoya, M.A. 1993. Orchids of Indiana. Indiana University Press, Bloomington. 276pp.
- Luer, C.A. 1975. The Native Orchids of the United States and Canada, Excluding Florida. Native Orchids U.S. & Canada. Barrons Educational Series, Hauppauge.
- Voss, E. G. 1972. Michigan Flora. Part I. Gymnosperms and Monocots. Bulletin of the Cranbrook Institute of Science and University of Michigan Herbarium. 488pp.
- Whiting, R.E. and P.M. Catling. 1986. Orchids of Ontario. The CanaColl Foundation, Ottawa. 169pp.