Cypripedium macranthos
Cypripedium macranthos
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[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. 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[ 2170 Title Herbal Medicines. Third Edition Publication Author Barnes J., Anderson L.A. & Phillipson J.D. Publisher Pharmaceutical Press; London Year 2007 ISBN 978 0 85369 623 0 Description 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 ].
Botanical Description
Cypripedium macranthos is a herbaceous perennial plant with a short, stout rhizomatous rootstock; it produces 3 - 4 leaves along erect, flowering stems around 25 - 50cm tall[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description 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. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and is also grown as an ornamental, valued for its attractive flowers[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Cypripedium macranthos is widespread and can be common in some of the places where it occurs. The trend of the population is decreasing and its abundance has been significantly reduced in recent decades due to numerous threats especially exploitation for horticultural and medicinal purposes, ruthless collection, trampling, weak recovery, frequent fires, overgrazing pressure, ecological disturbance, deforestation, tourism and infrastructure development. . Because of its wide range the risk of extinction is low as the existing threats to the species and its habitats are unlikely to cause the population to decline quickly in the near future, especially if various conservation measures suggested are applied. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].