Eric Lamont and I have taken many trips over the last three years sleuthing out rare orchid species in the Eastern United States and Canada. In our travels we found an orchid-rich fen that held a remarkable treasure: an anthocyanin-free form of Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin, the small northern yellow lady's-slipper. The red pigment found in the sepals and lateral petals of most lady's-slippers is called anthocyanin and is totally lacking in these plants. This phenomenon occurs elswhere in the Plant Kingdom; anthocyanin-free mutations of at least two pitcher plant species (Darlingtonia and Sarracenia) have been discovered in recent years. Dr. Charles Sheviak of the State Museum of New York tells us that this is a very unusual color form and that he has never seen it in this species of Cypripedium before. Truly a remarkable and lucky find!