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Calypso Orchid, Fairy Slipper, Venus Slipper, Angel Slipper, Deer's Head Orchid - Calypso bulbosa


Family: Orchidaceae - Orchid family Genus Common Name: Fairy Slipper Native Status: NativePerennial Herb
Calypso bulbosa - Calypso Orchid, Fairy Slipper, Venus Slipper, Angel Slipper, Deer's Head Orchid. Calypso bulbosa is the only species in the genus, but there are two varieties. Var. occidentalis, the more western variety (as indicated by the varietal name) has whitish or clear lip bristles. It is found only in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, and is the variety shown here. Var. americana is the more easterly variety, being found in Alaska and Canada, and from Montana east along the Canadian border states all the way east to Maine (except, oddly, North Dakota; but it is found in South Dakota. It is also found in the Rocky Mountain states down through Arizona. The eastern variety has more lip bristles, and they are yellow. Calypso bulbosa is Threatened or Endangered in Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Wisconsin. It is also protected in Arizona.

Found in:
AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH, NM, NY, OR, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY

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Calypso bulbosa

Distribution of Calypso bulbosa in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Ponderosa State Park, Valley County, ID Date: 2012-June-01Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
I had to use flash to photograph this plant, which I found before sunrise in a dark, damp forested area of Ponderosa State Park near McCall, Idaho.
Calypso bulbosa
Site: Ponderosa State Park, Valley County, ID Date: 2012-June-01Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000Flash: Yes
The flowers are usually pink to magenta, but are on rare occasions white. The plants are from about 2 to under 10 inches tall; the one presented here was about 3 inches tall.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Calypso bulbosa
References used for identification and information:
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Calypso bulbosa initially published on USWildflowers.com 2012-06-04; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302