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Glite Dictionary
Cypripedium calceolus

Cypripedium calceolus

9.9
An orchid with dark red to purple-brown flowers and a bright yellow slipper-shaped lip
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cypripedium calceolus
  • The distinctive yellow lip of the Cypripedium calceolus makes it easy to recognize among other orchids.

Examples

  • Botanists monitor populations of Cypripedium calceolus due to its endangered status in some regions.

  • During our hike, we were thrilled to spot a blooming Cypripedium calceolus in the forest.

  • The rare Cypripedium calceolus is a protected species throughout much of Europe.

  • The Cypripedium calceolus blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Can you identify the Cypripedium calceolus in this garden?

  • We were excited to see a Cypripedium calceolus growing in its natural habitat while hiking in the woods.

  • In many regions, conservation efforts are in place to protect the Cypripedium calceolus from extinction.

Synonyms

Cypripedium parviflorum
vsCypripedium calceolus
  • Specialized
9.9

An orchid with dark red flowers and a yellow slipper-shaped lip

is the same description but under a different scientific name
yellow lady's slipper
vsCypripedium calceolus
8.7

A yellow orchid with a slipper-shaped lower petal that grows in woods

is the same name written with an apostrophe and space
yellow lady-slipper
vsCypripedium calceolus
8.9

A type of orchid with a yellow pouch-shaped lip and dark red-brown petals

is the same name written with a hyphen instead of separate words

Surface Forms

Cypripedium calceolus singular
Cypripedium calceolus plural

Morphology

Cypripedium + calceolus

This is a Latin scientific binomial (genus + species) functioning as a taxonomic proper name rather than a compositional English phrase. The constituents are not ordinary English words (one is a genus label; the other is not found in the dictionary provided), and any Latin etymology (e.g. 'calceolus' = 'little shoe') is not accessible to a B1 learner, so the species meaning 'lady's slipper orchid' cannot be derived from the parts.

Etymology

The scientific name Cypripedium calceolus comes from the word Cypripedium, linked to the island of Cyprus, and the Latin word calceolus, meaning 'little shoe', because the orchid's lower petal looks like a small slipper. So the name helps you remember the plant known today as the 'lady's slipper' orchid.