Wide-ranging in North Carolina and other states, the yellow lady's slipper is rare nevertheless--a situation due in large part to over collection. Left alone in their preferred habitat of moist, rich deciduous woodlands, the plants can thrive, but are threatened by overly zealous plant collectors, even though transplanting is seldom successful. The species name, calceolus, is the Latin meaning "little shoe," a reference to the slipper-like shape of the labellum. Leaves appear "hairy," and the brownish-green sepals are spirally twisted, a characteristic not usually as pronounced in the much more common pink lady's slipper.

In the past, yellow lady's slippers have been widely used for medicinal purposes, principally as a sedative and to relieve pain. Large doses can cause disorientation and headaches. Harvesting wild lady's slippers (either color) is now prohibited due to their rarity.

Typically blooming in mid-May, yellow lady's slippers are a joy to photograph because of their rarity. This specimen is located at the wooded edge of a friend's property in northwest NC. In the interests of protecting the friend's privacy, as well as the lady's slippers health, I cannot reveal more about their location.