The plant became the state flower of Minnesota in 1902, and they became protected by state law in 1925. It is illegal to pick or uproot a showy lady slipper flower in Minnesota. This plant has vanished from much of its historical range due to habitat loss. Found in damp woods, bogs, and swamps, the orchid can take 16 years to grow and bloom for the first time. The plants can live for 50 years, and tend to flower in late June and early July. Usually, there are one or two flowers per stem, but there can be three or four. The stem has a hairy appearance, and the "hairs" can cause irritation to some people.