Cypripedium fasciolatum
Cypripedium fasciolatum
Safety & Hazards
We have seen no reports for Eurasian members of the genus, but there are reports that the glandular hairs on the leaves and stems of some N. American species can cause a rash, similar to poison ivy rash[1]. We have no specific information for this species, but it has been stated that the roots of at least one member of the genus may cause psychedelic reactions, and large doses may result in giddiness, restlessness, headache, mental excitement and visual hallucinations[2].
Cultivation Details
Prefers a shady position, growing in moist well-drained humus-rich or rocky organic soils that can range from acid to alkaline[1]. 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[3]. The flowers of Cypripedium species belong to the group of 'trap' flowers. An insect as it crawls in, can only escape from the slipper-like labellum through a tunnel near the base of the labellum from where it is directed first to the nearby stigma where possible pollinia from another flower on its back are stripped off and while escaping, sticky pollen from the nearby anthers adhere to its back for the pollination of another flower[4].
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[5]. 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[5]. Remove part of the original rootball, making sure to keep some of the soil around it intact[5]. Division is best carried out towards the end of the growing season, since food reserves are fairly evenly distributed through the rhizome[3]. 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[3]. Replant immediately in situ[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Cypripedium+fasciolatum>
Pollinators
Bees, Insects
References
- [1]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
- [2]Herbal Medicines. Third Edition — Barnes J., Anderson L.A. & Phillipson J.D. · Pharmaceutical Press; London · 2007 · ISBN 978 0 85369 623 0 ↩︎Providing mongraphs on 152 medicinal plants with lots of references to allow further research. A very good book, it can be downloaded from the Internet
- [3]Hardy Orchids. Orchids for the Garden and Frost-free Greenhouse. — Cribb. P. & Bailes. C. · Christopher Helm. London. · 1989 · ISBN 0 7470 0416 1 ↩︎An excellent book looking at the orchids that can be grown outdoors in temperate climates and giving lots of information on how to grow them. Very lttle information on their uses.
- [4]Flora of Pakistan — http://www.efloras.org ↩︎As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
- [5]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [6]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [7]Medicinal Orchids of Asia — Eng Soon Teoh · Springer International Publishing Switzerland · 2016 · https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24274-3 · ISBN 978-3-319-24272-9 ↩︎