About Cypripedium montanum Douglas ex Lindl.
Cypripedium montanum Douglas ex Lindl. grows up to 70 cm (30 in) tall. Its stem bears alternating, plicate leaves, and between one and three large flowers grow at the top of the stem. The sepals and petals are typically maroon-brown, while the flower pouch is white. This species is a close relative of Cypripedium parviflorum, so the two look very similar; the main difference between them is pouch color. Cypripedium montanum is native to the northwestern United States and western Canada. It has been recorded in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Alaska. It most often grows at high elevation, in open woods and on subalpine slopes. Meriwether Lewis documented this species during his expedition, when he encountered it in western Montana near Lolo Creek.
