On May 14th Eric Lamont and I met fellow native orchid enthusiasts Scott Shriver And Clete Smith in Ohio. Scott and Clete had agreed to guide us to one of the biggest known populations of Cypripedium candidum, the Small White Lady's-slipper, and boy did they deliver! The preserved prairie habitat they took us to was swarming with small whites; Scott told us that upwards of 10,000 grow there. It was almost impossible to walk without stepping on them!

They showed us a spot in a wooded area along a stream where there is a nice population of hybrids. Only hybrids grow there now; the yellow parent is long gone. After viewing images, Chuck Sheviak thinks that the habitat of the plants and the general habit and flower size is typical of a hybrid cross with Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin; this hybrid is known as Cypripedium x favillianum. As is always true in hybrid swarms, there is a tremendous and stunning variety in lip color and lip markings. It seems that most of the plants at this site have some makasin gene flow.

Unfortunately, due to the cold, wet spring this year, many of the hybrids were not yet open. Luckily for me I was in the area over the weekend giving native orchid lectures to two orchid societies in Michigan, so I was able to stop back on May 16th. The hybrids had indeed opened up more, but it was a rainy, windy day and getting any photos was a challenge. I basically "hunkered down" under my diffusion umbrella (another use for it!) and shot with flash. I also set up my diffusion tent, which gives nice black backgrounds and keeps the rain away too. It was worth the effort. Enjoy!