Pink ladyslippers not extremely rare in WNY, but hard to find due to habitat loss, deer

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

If you’ve ever seen a pink ladyslipper in a forest or along a treeline, consider yourself lucky.

Most people who see their first pink ladyslipper are led to the location by someone who found them earlier. They often swear the newcomer to secrecy, as I was. 

“Don’t tell anyone where it is,” I was told when I was shown my first pink landslipper many years ago along a dirt road in the eastern part of Cattaraugus County.

In more recent years, I’ve found a patch of ladyslippers closer to Olean. I was, of course, sworn to secrecy on the location. Earlier this month, I returned to look at the patch of pink ladyslippers and take a few photographs.  

The pink ladyslipper, a member of the orchid family, isn’t extremely rare, but they are slow growing plants, have specific habitat needs and are often hard to find.

The pink ladyslipper is native to North America and grows in hardwood and conifer forests. They can often be found near wetlands and different types of soil.

They rely on a fungus in the soil for germination. It can take from five to 16 years before the plant produces its first flower. The flowers can be found from May to July.

The pink ladyslipper is a declining species in Western New York due to habitat loss. Deer browsing and habitat loss are the greatest threats as they are slow to mature.

While not a declining species statewide, they are patchy in their distribution and require specific habitat. 

They are partially protected on federal and state lands, but may be collected on private land with permission of the owner.