Lady Slippers and Maidenhairs
Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 4:38PM 
Lady Slippers and Maidenhairs sounds like a Cinderella story or something out of Medieval times, and even though it’s 2009, in the woods, there is no time. It could have been any time period, but it was just last week at Living Trails Botanical Sanctuary, when our group of Master Herbalist students, teacher, and land steward manager, hiked down the trail with stakes, cameras, and field guides in hand.
Into the woods we went, ready to identify and stake some of the medicinal and at risk plants. It’s so amazing to me that these little ‘healers’ are so abundant!
The highlight of my day was finding the Pink Lady Slippers! I had never seen them in the wild; only in botanical gardens or in pictures! They were so abundant here, hugged by hundreds of Starflowers, as if they were there to protect them. It was quite magical with all the ‘stars’ and little ‘moccasins’ covering the ground everywhere we looked!
We learned that Lady Slippers are members of the Orchid family and natives used their roots for medicinal purposes; as a sedative, for hysteria, nervous depression, insomnia, and to relieve pain…basically, the same uses as the prescription drug ‘Paxil’.
Pink Lady Slipper and StarflowersLady Slippers are generally found in acid soils near Pine trees and these orchids rely on a type of fungus present in the soil for their growth. Even though they seem abundant here, lady slippers are on the ‘At Risk’ plants list and therefore harvesting is prohibited.
The Ojibwa tell a story of the moccasin flower, this beautiful woodland flower called ‘Lady Slipper’. According to legend, because of a devastating illness in her settlement, a brave young girl made a journey to a neighboring tribe to bring back some healing herbs. As she was making the trip back, a snowstorm set it. She trudged through the icy terrain, eventually losing her moccasins. She continued walking barefoot, trailing bloody footprints all the way back home. The following spring she returned back to look for her moccasins, but found moccasin-shaped Lady Slippers where her blood had settled into the ground. Pink Lady Slipper is a reminder of her bravery and how she saved her village.
False Lily of the ValleyAmong the Pink Lady Slippers and Starflowers are False Lily of the Valley (I don’t understand this ‘false’ thing), as well as several varieties of ferns, including Maidenhair.
Maidenhair FernThe Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capillus-Veneris,L) is a perennial found in deep woods in moist, rich soil. It’s very delicate and graceful with a high slender black stalk. The leaves were used in teas or infusions for coughs, congestion, asthma, pleurisy, and flu.
For a closer look at Maidenhair Ferns check out this short video! Thank you Judy and Elisa for assisting!
We could do this more often!
Reader Comments (5)
Great video! The Maiden Hair Ferns and the Pink Lady Slippers are very beautiful. It was great touring the Botanical Sanctuary in New Auburn for class. I had a wonderful time being in the woods and seeing the creations that Mother Earth has given us with a wonderful group of people.
Great Job Cher on the video and the article!!!
Thanks Elisa. It sure was a fun day seeing all these beautiful wildflowers. I'll continue taking pictures and posting throughout the summer. I'm sure I'll be seeing you often at some of our events at the Botanical Sanctuary!
Thanks for the great comments!
What a great article. You truly are a wonderful writer. I know alot of the inspiration came from our lovely ladyslipper...sweet dreams
Thanks Judy! The inspiration is there waiting to be used. Some people write, some sing or play music, some make medicine, or all of the above! The flowers are my 'muse'.
I love my flower garden. Sucks how I used to be so allergic to pollen. That is until I tired Flonase. I've noticed that after taking my Flonase nasal spray I tend to have this weird feeling in my mouth from the medication. Don't get me wrong it works amazing well, I have zero allergy symptoms now. I was just wondering what I could do to stop the icky feeling I get after-wards?