FIRST DESCRIPTION OF Cypripedium AND Cypripedium calceolus var. citrina B. HERGT IN ROMANIA: MORPHOLOGY, POLLINATION AND CONSERVATION STATUS

Cypripedium genus is represented by 59 species and nothospecies (species of hybrid origin), mainly distributed across North, Central South America, Europe Asia, but absent from Madagascar Australia. The most important characteristic this their showy large labellum, which transformed into the specific slipper-shaped, vividly coloured, inflated pouch. In Romania, one only, calceolus. article contains first description a newly discovered population in Prahova County, as well complete illustration calceolus flower pollinated female bee Lasioglossum genus. flowers are passive traps bees particular type size. describes detail different mimicry (deceit) pollination strategies employed orchid order to exploit its insect pollinators (generalized food deception mimicry, shelter nest/brood-site rendezvous attraction). Using advanced techniques ultra-macro photography, details floral organs illustrated describe great intriguing deceptive mechanisms Slipper Orchids attract highly rather scarce pollinating insects. Along with detailed common single-flowered plants, we also rare f. biflorum plants County present for time unique var. citrina individual, found 2019, Suceava County.