Whew!  By working hard this past weekend, we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as we plant nearly three acres of gardens.  So far, we’ve planted 175 tomatoes, 18 hundred-foot rows of three varieties of corn (plus assorted smaller isolation plots of rare corn), tons of beans, squash, pumpkin, and a 100-foot row of potatoes (to be added to the three 75-foot rows of “fancy potatoes” in the central garden).  And we got a nice rain and have more in the near forecast.  Perfect.

Now I’m playing catch-up, washing clothes and dishes (we’re running out!) and blogging. On Thursday, I’m heading to the MREA Fair in Custer, WI, for the long weekend.  If you can, please stop by the Self-Reliance/Backwoods Home Magazine booth and say hi.  I’d love to visit with you.  I’m also speaking on canning and growing fruit in unfriendly climates.  It’s a great show with lots going on all the time!

While I was running back and forth between the house and north garden, I noticed a beautiful rare wild orchid near the trail.  After researching it, I can’t find one listed anywhere.  I’m very familiar with our Showy Lady Slipper, and this is different, although perhaps it is an uncommon form?  It has two flat leaves at the base and a single long stem.

Anyone have a clue as to what kind it is?  The plant and flower are different from the Showy Lady Slipper so I’m stumped.

Stuff is popping up all over the gardens; beans, corn, fava beans … and weeds.  I guess I know what my next job will be.  (Of course we never have weeds in our wonderful gardens.)  Do you hear me choking down laughter? — Jackie

8 COMMENTS

  1. Stemless Lady’s Slipper, Pink Lady’s Slipper, and Pink Moccasin Flower are all common names for Cypripedium acaule. As nasty as some of the Latin names are to pronounce and remember, at least there’s only one of them per type of plant/flower–unlike the multitude of common names!

  2. All,

    Mystery solved!! “My” mystery orchid is a Stemless Lady’s Slipper, aka Pink Moccasin Flower! Scientific name: Cypripedium acaule. Wow, as often as I’ve run the Northwoods, I’ve never seen one before. Isn’t it great when you find something new to you? Then discover what it is, too. Thanks all you guys for your interest and information.

  3. My husband says it is consistent with Cypripedium acaule, Pink Lady’s Slipper. The BONAP taxonomic data center county distribution map and your description fits best with that.

  4. HI My computer only shows about one half inch of the plant, so my question may be hilarious; I am wondering if it could be a jack in the pulpit or a variation of a jack in the pulpit. Please keep writing, we love hearing about you and Will!

  5. according to the North American Orchid Center there are 12 varieties of native Lady slipper! Kinda reminds me of the Pink Lady Slipper we occasionally see here.

  6. Pretty sure its a pink moccasin flower, related to the showy lady slipper. They’re blooming in our bog here too, north of Duluth. It’s also called a stemless lady-slipper.

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