Somewhere in the spring woodland, a beautiful pink flower is running the most elaborate con in nature. And the bumblebees keep falling for it every single time.
The Deceptive Lady Slipper
Pink lady slipper orchids are often described as deceptive, and honestly that makes me giggle every time. These extraordinary wildflowers attract queen bumblebees with their bright pink color and sweet scent, making them believe there is pollen and nectar waiting inside. The bee lands, full of excitement, and crawls through a small slit in the front of the pouch looking for her reward.
She will not find it. Instead she finds herself inside a little maze. As she crawls through searching, she passes right under the stigma which removes any pollen she was already carrying on her body, and then under one of two anthers which deposits fresh pollen onto her before she finally finds her way out the back of the flower. She leaves empty handed, dusted in pollen, having done exactly what the orchid needed without getting a single thing in return. Deceptive indeed!
The Orchid and Its Fungal Partner
The bumblebee story is only the beginning of what makes these plants so otherworldly. Pink lady slipper orchids cannot survive without a very specific fungus called Rhizoctonia that lives in the soil around them. Their seeds are so tiny and contain so little nutrition that they cannot germinate on their own. They need that fungus to invade the seed and provide the nutrients it needs to begin growing.
Once the orchid is finally established it gives back to the fungus by allowing it to feed off its roots, making their relationship truly symbiotic. One simply cannot exist without the other. This is also why transplanting pink lady slippers almost always ends in the death of the plant. Only about 5% survive the move, even when given nearly identical growing conditions, because they cannot bring their fungal partner with them. So when you are lucky enough to find one growing wild in the forest, please leave it exactly where it is. It belongs to that spot in a way that goes all the way down into the soil beneath your feet.
The Earrings
I made these pink lady slipper orchid earrings because they are one of my favorite woodland wildflowers and I simply could not resist capturing their story in silver. Every single element was made from scratch and etched entirely by hand, giving each flower its own unique veining and leaf patterns just as they appear in nature. No two will ever be exactly alike.
These earrings are wonderfully versatile. You can wear the flowers on their own as elegant studs, or slip the handmade stems and leaves onto the earring posts and wear them as dangle earrings. Two entirely different looks from one pair.
- Length: About 2 inches with removable stems and bottom leaves
- Material: Sterling silver throughout
- Wear options: Studs or dangle earrings
Made Just for You
These earrings are made to order, meaning I will make your pair entirely from scratch just for you in my little studio in the New Hampshire woods. Every flower will be unique, just as they are in nature.
A Note from Tamara
I met my very first pink lady slipper orchid in my very own backyard *right* after I created my first pair of these . I never would have guessed I would find one because this property was sprayed with fertilizers until we moved here. In the one untouched corner of the wild back yard, I first found the leaves and stopped breathing.
Shipping
Your pink lady slipper orchid earrings will be made from scratch just for you and will be ready within 1 to 2 weeks. They will then be packaged safely and sent on their way to you with a tracking number so you can follow them along on their journey to their new home.