20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
The rare Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid

Lady’s Slipper Orchids are the world’s most famous and beautiful orchids. The most important characteristic of this genus is their showy and large labellum (the median, modified petal), transformed into the specific slipper-shaped, colourful, inflated pouch. In citrina plants, the sepals and lateral petals, which in normal plants are dark purple or brownish purple, entirely lack purple pigmentation. Consequently, the contrast between the tepals and the labellum disappears and the flowers appear entirely yellow. To add even more to the beauty of this orchid, the vibrant and warm sunset light casted a sparkling, golden glow over its flower. In Romania, this is the only specimen known to have ever flowered in the wild. In the spring of 2020, this unique specimen was uprooted and stolen from its natural habitat. The thief was never caught by the local authorities (Orchids of Romania, by Nora De Angelli & Dan Anghelescu, 2020).

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Campulung Moldovenesc, Romania
Copyright: © Nora De Angelli