Identify that Plant

What a treat to find the spring bloom of a Pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule).  This orchid has a symbiotic relationship with a particular soil fungus.  Due to the need for this soil fungus and the fact that Pink lady’s slipper has a very low rate of fertilization, this is one plant which is to be admired wherever it chooses to grow.  It does not transplant successfully.

Here’s a closer view of the orchid’s blossom.

After blooming, the flower turns brown.  If fertilization occurred, the ovary becomes a green seed capsule, covered by a green bract.

Watch this video to see the development of Pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule) through one year of its life cycle and to learn more about its reproductive process.

The spicy aroma of blooming Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) flowers can fill an area during spring months.  The flowers grow singly within a pair of leaves.  Sets of leaves with their flower grow opposite each other along the bush’s branch.

Fertilized flowers become large knobby seed pods.

A ripe seed pod is dark brown on the exterior and lined with fine hairs and bumps on the inside.

During the fall season, the leaves turn yellow.

Watch this video to see how the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) flower buds and new leaves grow concurrently during spring, to learn about the pollination process, and to discover what the seeds look like.