It’s Woodland Wildflower Time

Text and photo by Jean English

Head for the Hills to Sea Trail now to enjoy an abundance of woodland wildflowers, such as the pink lady's-slipper show here. One of four Cypripedium species native to Maine, the pink lady’s-slipper (C. acaule) is the most common. This one grew in Unity in late May in a past year, between the Crosby Brook Road entrance to the trail and Sandy Stream. Other species native to Maine are the yellow lady's-slipper (C. parviflorum), ram's head lady's-slipper (C. arietinum) and showy lady's-slipper (C. reginae). The ram's head and showy are rare in Maine, and the yellow is uncommon, according to the Maine Natural Areas Program. Enjoy lady’s-slippers in the woods, since over-collecting can threaten their survival, and they grow only in specific habitats.