Cypripedium montanum in situ

[Morja]

Went back to where I used to live in the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains in NW Montana and was thrilled to catch sight of a Cypripedium montanum clump thriving along the roadside. Found a newer one about to open, too!
The flowers were much more petite than I remembered! I had some green (album?) forms on my old property that I remember being bigger. But it's been a while and time does play tricks on memories!








Size medium glove hand for scale (I had nothing else!)

 

[My Green Pets]

Possibly the most beautiful Cyp, in my opinion. What a clump!! And near vertical location too, how cool.

 

[Ray]

Anytime i see an orchid in the wild, it’s a huge thrill, but that is really something to behold.

 

[GuRu]

Great sight to see these plants flowering happily in the wild. Thanks for sharing your photos.

 

[Morja]

Anytime i see an orchid in the wild, it’s a huge thrill, but that is really something to behold.

I tried to explain to my husband, who waited in the car mystified by what all the fuss was about, that seeing this made my whole day, month, possibly year! Haha. Orchid people get it at least.

 

[Weaver]

What an amazing find! So beautiful. And so tiny! I didnt know that type was so small. Just adorable in its petite-ness.

 

[Phragper]

what a special treat to find

 

[Morja]

What an amazing find! So beautiful. And so tiny! I didnt know that type was so small. Just adorable in its petite-ness.

The ones I had in my back yard were bigger, and also greener, so it's really interesting that these were maybe half a block away and so small and perfect!

 

[Tom-DE]

wish I would have one here!

 

[PhilaGardener]

I'm coming in a bit late in the game but what a nice find!

 

[Morja]

Haha no worries, this thread is resurrected for a couple of days!

I'm coming in a bit late in the game but what a nice find!

 

[Theodoreorchidking]

Go Montana!!! Personally the best state ever. That is gorgeous . The plant is perfect and seems like it was grown in a greenhouse with nothing to damage it: weather, bugs, animals. Nature really does do it best .

 

[big923cattleya]

Gee! So beautiful! And it is a roadside image?! Unbelievable.

My spring roadside flowers are dandelions by the thousands. Compared to yours, pitiful!!!

 

[Roots]

What a treat! It's funny how it is the only clump on the slope with nothing near it. All the other plants look like they are bowing down and paying homage.

 

[NYEric]

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Just1more]

Such a stunning plant and blooms Obviously wildlife doesn’t consider it edible……our deer would probably graze it to the ground