Lady’s Slipper

Cypripedioideae

Cypripedioideae is a subfamily of orchids commonly known as lady's slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids. Cypripedioideae includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium. They are characterised by the slipper-shaped pouches of the flowers – the pouch traps insects so they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia, thus fertilizing the flower. There are approximately 165 species in the subfamily.

Slipper

Slippers are a type of shoes falling under the broader category of light footwear, that are easy to put on and off and are intended to be worn indoors, particularly at home. They provide comfort and protection for the feet when walking indoors.

Lady

A lady is a woman who behaves in a polite way. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the female counterpart of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men.

lady

Noun

1. The mistress of a household.
2. A woman of breeding or higher class, a woman of authority.

Verb

1. To address as “lady”.

slipper

Noun

1. A low soft shoe that can be slipped on and off easily.
2. A low soft shoe intended for indoor use; a bedroom slipper or house slipper.

Adjective

1. slippery