American Indian languages * American Indian peoples cultures * Ancient Indian art

Native American Lady's-Slipper Mythology

Ladyslippers, also known as moccasin flowers, are North American wildflowers from the orchid family. These flowers got their names, as well as several folktales about them, from their vague resemblance to a soft-bodied shoe. Besides inspiring folklore about their origins, ladyslippers were also useful to Woodland Indian tribes of the eastern United States and Canada, who used their roots as medicine herbs.

Sponsored Links


Native American Legends About Lady-Slippers

Lady Slippers:
    Ojibwa legend about the meaning of the ladyslipper (or moccasin flower.)

Recommended Books of Ladyslipper Stories from Native American Myth and Legend
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

The Legend of the Lady Slipper * The Legend of the Lady's Slipper:
    Picture books based on an Ojibwe legend about the origin of the first lady slipper orchid.
Native Plant Stories:
    Excellent collection of Native American stories about plant spirits, by Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac.
Native American Ethnobotany:
    Comprehensive book on the names and traditional uses of flowers and other plants throughout Native North America.



Back to American Indian plant symbols
Back to Native Indian lore
Back to Native American god names



Native American jewelry * Apache history * Cherokee language translator * Karuk language * Indian tattoo designs

Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?

Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2020 * Contacts and FAQ page