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McAdoo, David R.

Calypso bulbosa

Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes

Fairy Slipper

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CABU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Calypso bulbosa is chlorophyllous but also hemi-mycoheterotrophic; that is, it makes it own food, but also utilizes at least one fungus species to provide some of its carbon intake. The known fungi involved is Thanatephorus ochraceus, a saprotroph.

A single mostly pink bilateral pendant flower with an inflated, slipper-like lip petal hangs at tip of an erect, reddish flower stalk that grows above 1 basal leaf.

This short perennial rises from a small tuber and is the only species in this genus. Named for the sea nymph Calypso of Homer's Odyssey, who detained the willing Odysseus on his return from Troy; like Calypso, the plant is beautiful and prefers secluded haunts.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 9 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , ME , MI , MN , MT , NH , NM , NY , OR , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , NU , ON , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Across Canada and northern United States to Arizona, New Mexico, New York, and New England.
Native Habitat: Thick duff and mossy ground in cool, damp, mainly coniferous woods.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FAC	FAC			FACW		FACW	FACW	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Calypso bulbosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Calypso bulbosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calypso bulbosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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