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The pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) was designated the official state wildflower of New Hampshire in 1991. A unique member of the orchid family, this showy flower is native to North America (also known as moccasin flower, or simply lady slipper).
The lady's slipper is protected in some areas - its numbers have been greatly reduced due to loss of habitat (much of the moist, rich soil it prefers has been converted to agriculture). Also, since the lady's slipper is one of the more eye-catching wildflowers of the northeast, transplanting attempts have taken a significant toll on their numbers (transplanting nearly always fails because the lady's slipper has a symbiotic relationship with a certain fungus in the forest). A reminder to all forest visitors - tred lightly - take home only photos and memories - preserve the delicate ecology of our dwindling woods.
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