Moccasin Flower
On our way out west this spring, we camped along the shores of Lake Superior. We have never hiked along the trails at this time of the year so we were pleasantly surprised to come by a patch of Pink Lady Slippers on the trail. They are also known as the Moccasin Flower because they resemble the moccasin shoe that Indigenous people used to wear. Here are some interesting facts about this wildflower.
“ Over several years, the orchid grows its root system, all the while being fed by the fungi. Once the roots are grown, the orchid can then grow a bud, and leaves begin to develop. Now that it can feed itself, it's time to pay back the fungi - the orchid's roots now provide the fungi with nutrients. The Moccasin flower may take up to 10 years to flower after developing its roots and leaves.” This is another good reason to celebrate fungi and to be careful not to disturb the wildflowers on the trails!
Moccasin Flower
On our way out west this spring, we camped along the shores of Lake Superior. We have never hiked along the trails at this time of the year so we were pleasantly surprised to come by a patch of Pink Lady Slippers on the trail. They are also known as the Moccasin Flower because they resemble the moccasin shoe that Indigenous people used to wear. Here are some interesting facts about this wildflower.
“ Over several years, the orchid grows its root system, all the while being fed by the fungi. Once the roots are grown, the orchid can then grow a bud, and leaves begin to develop. Now that it can feed itself, it's time to pay back the fungi - the orchid's roots now provide the fungi with nutrients. The Moccasin flower may take up to 10 years to flower after developing its roots and leaves.” This is another good reason to celebrate fungi and to be careful not to disturb the wildflowers on the trails!