Here are two:

https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/aplectrum/hyemale/

http://eyeonlifemag.com/a-lovely-garden/pink-lady-slipper-and-native-american-legends-of-the-ladyslipper-cypripedeum-acaule

I used "Cypripedium folklore" when I searched for C. acaule and I went straight to NEWFS.org- go botany tab for Aplectrum

Thanks for bringing up an interesting topc- there is probably more out there

Cheers~

Maryanne

not folklore but I rather enjoy researching the journey of many of our common garden plants and that includes orchids that made it to Europe and eventually to North America and the world.. . In the 18th century, Europe and England went on a global plant discovery rage. Explorers were sent off to locate and bring back speciments to their countries. The more exotic the plant, the higher priced they commanded. The explorations were funded either by government or by the wealthy seeking something different . The most common orchid, Phaeleonopsis came from southeast asia the cattleya from south america, hydrangeas from southeast asia and China. Many regular garden plants like primula, from China, tulips from Turkey... In fact many trees in the UK are not native to the UK which is interesting. The UK didn't have as many trees back then.

Almost forgot this book:

Orchids in Lore and Legend by Luigi Berliocchi (2000 Timber Press)

I actually read this book years ago - and it was quite good

Happy growing and reading

ML

Thanks for the links Maryanne, its funny that I live pretty close to where those plants grow and never heard those stories.

Ianna, I remember seeing an episode of Nova about a valley in China where a lot of our cultivated plants come from, I don't recall the name of the area.

Below is a link to an orchid book that is available for free on line. I've posted it before but I think its worth putting up again. Its written by an orchid collector from England in 1895. In it he talks about being at orchid sales from ships coming back from the Americas. People would buy plants out of flower with the possibility of blooming something unknown to science.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17155/17155-h/17155-h.htm

Tolumnia bahamense, formerly equtant oncidium bahamense is currently on the cites list. The global list of plants and animals that are endangered via a global treaty. It is on the list due to its rarity in Martin County, Fl. In the Bahamas there are so many it is treated as a weed.

On US 1 South near the county line a few decades ago a development of a high priced golf course and country club had started. They were disturbing Tolumnia bahamense.

A man names Ruben Sauleda from Miami had heard about this habitat destruction and was going to be the White Knight. Ruben had an orchid business. To help him along he had a PHD on I think it was botany or something related. He was known and reliable source. Rubin has since moved to South America I'm told in pursuit of some orchid dreams.

When he arrived he found the orchids of concern. He also found an old cemetery that was used for slaves from many years ago. On the grave markers he found the orchids. Clearly not a natural scene. The plants must have been brought by ancestors to decorate and honor the graves.

Regardless, Ruben gathered the orchids and had permission from the State of Florida to plant them in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Just a mile or 2 from the development. And they sat for years and the myth grew.

Now the State Rangers have wrapped their arms around this plant and will not let go. It is an easy day at work to play as savior for the bahmense when it hits their schedule. They have even come to our society to continue the lie.

Regardless I have one that was legally collected pre cites. And it flourishes. As orchids go it is not very exciting. But the plant itself has its own story. It grows under a rosemary bush. Not to be confused with the rosemary we eat. The bush is symbiotic. The orchid starts out as a terestial in a sugar type sand. In the early stages its flowers get eaten by rabbits. As the plant gets taller it latches on to the rosemary bush and drops its roots in the ground. Finally it becomes tall enough that the rabbits can't eat the flowers and the flowers go to seed and drop them on the sand and on and on. That part is true.

When we had some odd weather I got an early bloom of the bahmense for the first time during our annual show. Being a local cites and in fine bloom I thought I had a shot of something special from the judges. I was not there but I was getting a play by play info on the phone. The plant was creating quite a stir.

At first they gave it a blue ribbon. Then the thought it was illegal to possess. Completely wrong. So they finally gave it nothing. Even though the cites was false the judges had no way of knowing the truth. After a few days they wanted to give me a red ribbon. Was not interested.

One of the purposes of judging is to enhance and improve breeding. If the judging is corrupt then breeding will not find its apex. So I decided to retire from having my plants judged. It does not seem meaningful anymore. I still support the event with labor and buy plants from the vendors. If I can get a big bloom at the right time on my new den. speciosum I got from orchidnick, I might come out of retirement to blow the house down. Then retire again. Maybe.

More utilitarian than folklore or mythology but the indigenous people here used the juice of Dendrobium affine to seal woven containers for carrying water.

Sounds like there may be a story linked to planting Tolumnia on a grave.

Does the Dendrobium juice work?

I was told once that some people can't derect the scent of Cymbidium ensifolium, anyone else hear that.

I ordered the Orchid in Lore and Legend book from Amazon, should have some more stories next week.