Pink lady's slipper orchids are identifiable as soon as they emerge. The leaves poke up tightly furled and fuzzy, with veins running parallel up their length.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqJssrOgFxzi3cFjWTuUYy_2mxbtSUaqB5XpSNBDhlkip48vm6tz5_tirdBcFeQKf7aBNU4DU7cu9TCxyBo7LqP7CbzW4oQcrrnthGiB86tzal6989a55etUfSYZwLaZqOozJ3uamxiU/s640/20190519_141254.jpg)
Two large leaves unfold, attached at the base of the plant.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dtDyeNHiFxaJaE0GVer-vxt_kJ5AdeWm5vPTXNMybW2NaP0J_8uH_ZxNQbuzp7Wr4hi45g_2HHfl1gXeI5kViPNFMRNTIGdKihOAa-BPdFE33mHYkOZuKNtx45e85hM9TMwQsTdQh9Y/s640/20200509_150122+%25281%2529.jpg)
A fuzzy bud is wrapped inside.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQQUkbPWt7xNRsd_xwzIVi2G3H9KB06QCHvOSrqCy4v9g8c8wPstEA7DrZeHzW2RDBkDb9T0S2PrHnojbj8vm5lk1y0nM6by_wQvDcMayZj8tjUok_bw94E4bFKsh11fdC8M80XMuzWk/s640/20180512_092353.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6uoNv6k_5JTugEQdRM8laxP7tPAfubFMflbhGPIe7Q2fhTxbnESu3Wrp76eNQZ_MnsDu1mXE7KA9HKpVmmrl_EyjCydbnppRgxAHFr5X66n9qi-egwd7d0RkzUyp1K_Tn0RA0hpb9aU/s640/20190601_103013+%25281%2529.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFSz6exaoRDPEh605B6hPnCFdfRkUWZe7o2wxnTw4glyUhQuG4tfSXtPUlqrGJC4fztBI1QiK8BT1WzK5Q8oyP8573IydTx1I107hJoFT-ugQfnSvNEdbizKRBbfFSBZSj0UkMdlJyaU/s640/20190601_113511+%25281%2529.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfHzC5J5qGfAc6y7GY-Im9N-xwqHVw45u53wOXkbOz9L8FCcEwem_cCiiDmW1qNqK-jgpYdNr4EmrdxBRB8Nn6mrXGtuTp3OVcGniY22jGCG5IEzYwqEiC8c0dTedmkZk9bHq4baoUTE/s640/20190615_161641_HDR.jpg)
You'll often find them in clusters.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYa4RwYQNr1d5iPPjms3UDCJBm4zY6ym7f30dq2sMfhjB5jj_rpkw4ltSDkBefuepfoh7H9lJzqUHOW-L8UYkKsQw82nI_pRTvBf2QolnJoUTDMARdtjOrgHGEwG0iRWhz9B08C-JO-M/s640/IMG_20170521_111452975.jpg)
Pollination rates are low, but sometimes you'll get lucky and find one in fruit. You can still see the wilted flower here too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_BVcd79G3oc6gq7QiNpg-uhHp8fdXTwrqJj6zx-iNveaG5-eobCm6YmKMygueAvf94LRA7GwS2-vfW3wWhoHr375miZcXnpTxBHW9r0B6Nd9b34sdtv4WRl0OkXy7_3_vdW3vszH_Ro/s640/20180707_095020_HDR.jpg)
The capsules hang around a long time after splitting open and releasing the dust-like seeds. Sometimes you'll even see them poking up through the snow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDP58mn60JaMaS7W_DLKLsi-EV8uyj5sKlcB0rv2Dd6YpHio8J7QTRY38ADNhH6rHNZMEAnB22eWTWVXvwRzWt0K3hA2gOzHhlUZaQcfQ6dh0rjDmkNhVfzCQbKyX04B4q7C4f4xWlmQ/s640/20190223_145112_HDR.jpg)