Cypripedium parviflorum
Cypripedium parviflorum is a highly variable species occurring in North America. Three subspecies are recognized.
- Cypripedium parviflorum
- Cyp. parviflorum var. parviflorum
- Cyp. parviflorum var. pubescens
- Cyp. parviflorum var. makasin
The variability is both genetic as most forms breed true as well as environmental. For example, specimens from Newfoundland that are very low-growing and with small, compressed flowers and flat petals were described as Cypripedium parviflorum var. planipetalum. When transplanted farther south, many of these plants produce larger flowers of form more typical for the species.
Adding to the variability of the species is its hybridization with several other species over parts of its range.
| Hybrid | Variety parent | Other parent | Description | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xandrewsii | parviflorum | candidum | A. M. Fuller | 19xx |
| xandrewsii nothovar. andrewsii | parviflorum var. makasin | candidum | ? | 19xx |
| xandrewsii nothovar. favillianum | parviflorum var. pubescens | candidum | (J. T. Curtiss) B. Boivin | 19xx |
| xandrewsii nothovar. landonii | parviflorum var. parviflorum | xandrewsii nothovar. favillianum | (Garay) B. Boivin | 20xx |
| xcolumbianum | parviflorum | montanum | Sheviak | 1992 |
Distribution
Map was drawn from a digital map from www.planiglobe.com. ©planiglobe 2004
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Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum at left compared to Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens at right, growing at the Gardens at Post Hill.
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens growing at The Gardens at Post Hill.
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens in the garden of Paul Perakos.
