36 Cypripedium humile.
nerves sheathing each other, and embraced near the root by two or
more stipular-like sheathes. Scape naked, erect, embraced while the
plant is in flower by the folded leaves, which afterwards expand and
increase in size. Flower solitary and terminal. Petals dull purplish-
green, or purple and yellow, long. Nectary large, pendulous, globose,
pubescent, lake-red, delicately streaked with darker veins of the same
hue. Grows in deep shady swamps and morasses, where the soil consists
of a rich mould from decayed vegetable matter. In these situations
only, the plant attains perfection—for though sometimes found
in drier places, it is comparatively small, and much less beautiful.
Grows throughout the union, but-especially abundant and luxuriant
in the bogs of Jersey, where 1 have often seen specimens twice the
size of the one figured in the plate. Flowers in May and June.
This singular plant partakes of the peculiarity of structure which
belongs to the genus of which three species are figured in this
work. It is a favourite flower, from the circumstance of its continuing
to bloom a long time. It does not however, bear the soil or atmosphere
of common gardens, the moisture that is requisite for its vigour
being in them wanting, it soon dwindles in size or totally disappears.
I have repeatedly attempted to cultivate it, but have never had
a plant to bloom a second season.
The table represents the plant of its common size during florescence,
after which the leaves become broader and larger.