Lady's Slipper in Patagonia 2024
One of the most tender flowers of Patagonia
Best time: November–mid-December
Lady's Slipper is also known as Calceolaria uniflora or Darwin's slipper. There is also a "sister" flower—Calceolaria biflora, also yellow and tender. Calceolaria means "little shoe" as the flowers resemble slippers. These unusual flowers appear when the temperature rises. It was discovered by Charles Darwin during his trip around South America. The flowers have a unique shape looking like little orange penguins on rocks.
This perennial plant originates from Tierra del Fuego and feels great in a cool Patagonian climate. You might have to look hard to find it in Tierra del Fuego though. Meanwhile, it's really abundant in Torres del Paine National park during late spring or early summer.
Lady's slipper is a mountain plant growing only up to 10 cm in height. The flowers are a mix of yellow, white and brownish red. They commonly add a burst of color along the hiking trails of Torres del Paine sometimes growing to a small colony. Local birds often eat the lower white part of the flower and that's how it gets pollinated!
