Late may-early june is the peak season for these orchids. I did not take these pics, one of my close friends sent them to me. She lives up in the mountains around Chambéry, an alpine town in France. Not far from her house there is a secluded clearing deep in the forest, and it is full of these slipper orchids. As the place is far from the footpaths, the orchids have largely avoided wild collecting by ignorant people. You have to know they are there to find them. Usually I go with her to see the orchids, so she sent pics to make me feel better.
Cypripedium calceolus is Europe's largest orchid, as well as the only slipper orchid. They are quite rare unfortunately.
Cypripedium calceolus
Linear Mode
