Bloomipedia
Yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum)
Photo: Ryan Sorrells via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Yellow lady's slipper

Cypripedium parviflorum

Native in the lower 48

Yellow lady's slipper is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

46states
2of our state lists
9,699U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Michigan, North Dakota

Quick look

Cypripedium parviflorum, commonly known as yellow lady's slipper or moccasin flower, is a lady's slipper orchid native to North America. It is widespread, ranging from Alaska south to Arizona and Georgia. It grows in fens, wetlands, shorelines, and damp woodlands.

  • It belongs to the Orchidaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 46 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Michigan and North Dakota. NatureServe
  • In Michigan, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • In North Dakota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,044 research-grade sightings of it in Michigan, ranking #79 among the 111 flowers on our Michigan list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 74 research-grade sightings of it in North Dakota, ranking #89 among the 109 flowers on our North Dakota list. iNaturalist

Yellow lady's slipper gift ideas

Handmade yellow lady's slipper gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (3,014 records)
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
MichiganNativeMay–June2,044
North DakotaNativeJune74

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Michigan. R 299.1028
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: S2, imperiled in North Dakota.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AK (S2), AZ (S1), CO (S2), ID (S1), MA (S1), NE (S1), RI (S1), UT (S1), WA (S2), WV (S2), WY (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: NatureServe ranks it S2 in North Dakota. NatureServe

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records yellow lady's slipper in 46 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.

Michigan counties with USDA records: Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Marquette, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Washtenaw, Wayne.

North Dakota counties with USDA records: Benson, Bottineau, Grand Forks, McHenry, Pembina, Ransom, Rolette, Sargent, Walsh.

More Michigan flowers

Pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule)

Pink lady's slipper

Cypripedium acaule

Native

🌼 Blooms in MI: May–June
Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine)

Broad-leaved helleborine

Epipactis helleborine

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in MI: July–August
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Common milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Native

🌼 Blooms in MI: June–August

Sources