SafePlants

Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa)

The Calypso orchid, scientifically known as Calypso bulbosa, is a captivating and elusive wildflower found in various regions across the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as the fairy slipper or Venus's slipper, this delicate orchid is the sole species within the Calypso genus.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• The text mentions the plant's presence in bogs and forests, which could be habitats explored by pets or children.
• It is noted that the plant sprouts from a corm, suggesting it may have underground parts.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes, Calypso bulbosa (L.) Ames
• Common Names: Calypso orchid, fairy slipper, Venus's slipper
• Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Calypso bulbosa boasts a circumboreal distribution, meaning it's found across northern regions of the globe.
• In North America, it extends across Canada from Alaska to Newfoundland.
• Specific locations mentioned include Western Washington, British Columbia, Maine, New England, Minnesota, Anticosti Island, and the Cascade Mountains in Washington.
• It thrives in cool forests, bogs, spruce-balsam-cedar swamps, moist coniferous forests with cool soils, and Great Lakes shoreline forests dominated by spruce, cedar, and fir.

Morphological Characteristics

• The fairy slipper orchid is known for bearing a single, showy flower on a single, dainty stem, usually purple.
• The flower's shape resembles a small shoe, hence the common name "Fairy Slipper."
• The flower can range in color from white to pink or purplish, often marked with purple.
• The plant has a single, dark green leaf that sprouts from a corm in autumn and lasts through the winter.