This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Cypripedium acaule
  • Nerve Root

a perennial member of the Cypripedium genus in the family Orchidaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cypripedium acaule has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Contact with the fresh plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[1][2]. Hairs on the leaves can cause a rash similar to poison ivy rash in some people[3].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Cypripedium acaule.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Cypripedium acaule.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, tonic[4][5]. It is said to be the equivalent of Valerian, Valeriana officinalis, in treating nervous complaints, sleeplessness etc[4]. The roots have also been used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, stomach aches, kidney and urinary tract disorders and venereal disease[6]. An infusion of the dried tuber is used, the tubers are harvested in the autumn[3]. The active ingredients are not water-soluble[5].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Kidney
Nervine
Sedative
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[7]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move.

Division with care in early spring, the plants resent disturbance[7]. Remove part of the original rootball with the soil intact[7].

Division is best carried out towards the end of the growing season, since food reserves are fairly evenly distributed through the rhizome[8]. Small divisions of a lead and two buds, or divisions from the back (older) part of the rhizome without any developed buds, establish quickly using this method[8]. Replant immediately in situ[8].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cypripedium acaule. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a position in semi-shade on a damp acid soil that is rich in humus[7]. Plants grow well in a woodland garden or shady border[8].

Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[8]. Resents root disturbance[7]. A very ornamental plant[4], it is quite difficult in cultivation and plants will often flower well in their first year then disappear[8]. This is possibly because the plants are sold bare-rooted and do not have the necessary fungal symbiant they need in order to thrive[8]. Only buy pot-grown plants in order to try and ensure that the symbiant is present[K].

The plants are subject to damage by slugs[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cypripedium acaule. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cypripedium acaule.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cypripedium acaule
Genus
Cypripedium
Family
Orchidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[4][5][6][3]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.4 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Cribb. P. & Bailes. C. Hardy Orchids. Orchids for the Garden and Frost-free Greenhouse. Christopher Helm. London. ISBN 0 7470 0416 1 (1989-00-00)

    "image:Pink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cypripedium_acaule&oldid=76761"
    Facts about "Cypripedium acaule"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyOrchidaceae +
    Belongs to genusCypripedium +
    Has binomial nameCypripedium acaule +
    Has common nameNerve Root +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imagePink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Kidney +, Nervine +, Sedative + and Tonic +
    Has primary imagePink Lady's Slipper, whole plants, Terra Nova NP, NL.jpg +
    Has search namecypripedium acaule + and nerve root +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCypripedium acaule +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Cypripedium acaule +, Cypripedium acaule +, Cypripedium acaule +, Cypripedium acaule + and Cypripedium acaule +