Cypripedium acaule - Nerve Root

Family:	Orchidaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.4
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Nebraska, south to Mississippi and Alabama.

Cypripedium acaule (Nerve Root) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.4m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Nerve Root will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Nerve Root will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Nerve Root prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Usually found in the higher and dryer parts of coniferous woods, often in a thin layer of pine needles over rocks[230], it is also sometimes found in bogs and wet places[213, 230].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Requires a position in semi-shade on a damp acid soil that is rich in humus[200]. Plants grow well in a woodland garden or shady border[230]. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[230]. Resents root disturbance[200]. A very ornamental plant[207], it is quite difficult in cultivation and plants will often flower well in their first year then disappear[230]. This is possibly because the plants are sold bare-rooted and do not have the necessary fungal symbiant they need in order to thrive[230]. Only buy pot-grown plants in order to try and ensure that the symbiant is present[K]. The plants are subject to damage by slugs[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The root is antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, tonic[207, 222]. It is said to be the equivalent of Valerian, Valeriana officinalis, in treating nervous complaints, sleeplessness etc[207]. The roots have also been used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, stomach aches, kidney and urinary tract disorders and venereal disease[257]. An infusion of the dried tuber is used, the tubers are harvested in the autumn[213]. The active ingredients are not water-soluble[222].

• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Kidney - Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[200]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division with care in early spring, the plants resent disturbance[200]. Remove part of the original rootball with the soil intact[200]. Division is best carried out towards the end of the growing season, since food reserves are fairly evenly distributed through the rhizome[230]. Small divisions of a lead and two buds, or divisions from the back (older) part of the rhizome without any developed buds, establish quickly using this method[230]. Replant immediately in situ[230].

Known Hazards

Contact with the fresh plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[1, 21]. Hairs on the leaves can cause a rash similar to poison ivy rash in some people[213].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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