Yellow Lady Slipper—Wonder Wedneday

It's WONDER Wednesday!

This week's WONDER is the yellow lady slipper. This showy spring bloom appears fleetingly for a few weeks each year in Northern Michigan. Here are some need-to-knows about this elusive wildflower.

LADY SLIPPERS ARE PARTICULAR.
They prefer to grow in moist wooded habitats, including bogs and forest edges. They're often found under cedars as well. If you are lucky enough to find one, don't pick it! Lady slippers are protected by wildflower conservation laws.

LADY SLIPPERS ARE CLEVER.
Lady slippers are part of the orchid family. The slipper-shaped lip of the flower acts as a trap for pollinators, tricking them into entering the flower to give or receive pollen, effectively fertilizing the plant.

LADY SLIPPERS ARE MEDICINE.
Known as makazin, in Anishanaabemowin, the plant is considered traditional medicine for women, according to the LTBB Native Plants Initiative.