Calypso bulbosa: Difference between revisions

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'''Calypso bulbosa''', also known as the '''fairy slipper''' or '''Venus's slipper''', is a perennial species of orchid native to the cooler regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is the only species currently classified in the genus ''Calypso'', which takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as it tends to favor sheltered and obscured habitats.
== Calypso bulbosa ==
 
[[File:Calypso_bulbosa_5493.JPG|Calypso bulbosa flower close-up|thumb|right]]
 
'''Calypso bulbosa''', commonly known as the '''fairy slipper''' or '''venus's slipper''', is a perennial species of [[orchid]] found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It is the only species currently classified in the genus ''Calypso''.


== Description ==
== Description ==
The ''Calypso bulbosa'' is a small orchid, typically reaching only 10 to 15 cm in height. It is characterized by a single, glossy, round leaf that emerges from the bulb in the spring. The leaf is usually partially buried in the ground and is often withered by the time the flower blooms. The flower is pink to purple in color, with a pouch-like lip adorned with darker spots. The sepals and petals are slender and twisted, forming a hood over the lip.


== Habitat and Distribution ==
''Calypso bulbosa'' is a small, delicate orchid that grows to a height of 10 to 20 cm. It is characterized by a single basal leaf and a solitary flower. The leaf is ovate, dark green, and can be up to 10 cm long. The flower is pink to purple, with a white lip that is often marked with darker purple spots and yellow markings.
''Calypso bulbosa'' is found in a variety of habitats, from coniferous forests to cool, shady areas in the mountains. It is a circumboreal species, found across the northern hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, it is found from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south to northern California and the Rocky Mountains.
 
[[File:Calypso_bulbosa_-_Flickr_005.jpg|Calypso bulbosa in its natural habitat|thumb|left]]
 
The flower's lip is slipper-shaped, which is a distinctive feature of this species. The plant relies on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients, as it lacks the ability to photosynthesize effectively on its own.
 
== Distribution and Habitat ==
 
''Calypso bulbosa'' is found in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], particularly in [[North America]], [[Europe]], and [[Asia]]. In North America, it is distributed from [[Alaska]] to [[California]] and across [[Canada]] to the northeastern United States. It prefers cool, moist, and shaded environments, often growing in coniferous forests.
 
== Ecology ==
 
The fairy slipper is a deceptive orchid, as it does not produce nectar. It attracts pollinators, primarily bees, through visual mimicry and scent. The bees are lured by the flower's appearance and fragrance but receive no reward, a strategy known as [[pseudocopulation]].
 
[[File:Calypso_bulbosa_5499.JPG|Calypso bulbosa with visible pseudobulb|thumb|right]]


== Conservation ==
== Conservation ==
Due to its specific habitat requirements and the impact of human activities such as logging and land development, ''Calypso bulbosa'' is considered at risk in some parts of its range. In several U.S. states, it is listed as threatened or endangered.


== Cultivation ==
''Calypso bulbosa'' is sensitive to habitat disturbance and is considered vulnerable in many areas. It is particularly susceptible to trampling and habitat destruction due to logging and recreational activities. Conservation efforts focus on protecting its natural habitat and minimizing human impact.
Cultivation of ''Calypso bulbosa'' is considered difficult due to its specific symbiotic relationship with a soil fungus, which makes it challenging to reproduce the conditions it needs to grow in a typical garden setting.
 
== Varieties ==
 
There are several recognized varieties of ''Calypso bulbosa'', including:
 
* ''Calypso bulbosa'' var. ''bulbosa'' - Found in Europe and Asia.
* ''Calypso bulbosa'' var. ''americana'' - Found in North America.
* ''Calypso bulbosa'' var. ''occidentalis'' - Found in western North America.
 
[[File:Calypso_bulbosa_var._occidentalis_(3).jpg|Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis|thumb|left]]
 
== Related pages ==
 
* [[Orchidaceae]]
* [[Mycorrhiza]]
* [[Pollination]]


== References ==
== Gallery ==
* ''Flora of North America''
 
* ''Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East''
<gallery>
File:Calypso_bulbosa_5500.JPG|Calypso bulbosa in bloom
File:The_paradisus_londinensis_(8318676110).jpg|Illustration of Calypso bulbosa
File:Flora_Europaea_inchoata_(Pl._7)_(6032619343).jpg|Historical depiction of Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_(as_Calypso_borealis)_-_Curtis'_54_(N.S._1)_pl._2763_(1827).jpg|Curtis's botanical magazine illustration
</gallery>


[[Category:Orchids]]
[[Category:Orchids]]
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[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
{{orchid-stub}}
<gallery>
File:Calypso_bulbosa_5493.JPG|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_-_Flickr_005.jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_5499.JPG|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_5500.JPG|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_var._occidentalis_(3).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:The_paradisus_londinensis_(8318676110).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Flora_Europaea_inchoata_(Pl._7)_(6032619343).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_(as_Calypso_borealis)_-_Curtis'_54_(N.S._1)_pl._2763_(1827).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Abbildungen_der_in_Deutschland_und_den_angrenzenden_gebieten_vorkommenden_grundformen_der_orchideenarten_(Pl_60_Calypso_bulbos)_(6022132370).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Kamloops…McQueen_Lk_"O"_map…Calypso_bulbosa_in_all_it's_splendor_(8883583432).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_Finland,_Keminmaa_2014-05-23.jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypsobulbosa.jpg|Calypso bulbosa
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:Calypso_bulbosa_-_Flickr_005.jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_5499.JPG|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_5500.JPG|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_var._occidentalis_(3).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:The_paradisus_londinensis_(8318676110).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Flora_Europaea_inchoata_(Pl._7)_(6032619343).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_(as_Calypso_borealis)_-_Curtis'_54_(N.S._1)_pl._2763_(1827).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Abbildungen_der_in_Deutschland_und_den_angrenzenden_gebieten_vorkommenden_grundformen_der_orchideenarten_(Pl_60_Calypso_bulbos)_(6022132370).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Kamloops…McQueen_Lk_"O"_map…Calypso_bulbosa_in_all_it's_splendor_(8883583432).jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa_Finland,_Keminmaa_2014-05-23.jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypsobulbosa.jpg|Calypso bulbosa
File:Calypso_bulbosa,_Japan_1.JPG|Calypso bulbosa
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 10:50, 23 March 2025

Calypso bulbosa[edit]

Calypso bulbosa flower close-up

Calypso bulbosa, commonly known as the fairy slipper or venus's slipper, is a perennial species of orchid found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Calypso.

Description[edit]

Calypso bulbosa is a small, delicate orchid that grows to a height of 10 to 20 cm. It is characterized by a single basal leaf and a solitary flower. The leaf is ovate, dark green, and can be up to 10 cm long. The flower is pink to purple, with a white lip that is often marked with darker purple spots and yellow markings.

Calypso bulbosa in its natural habitat

The flower's lip is slipper-shaped, which is a distinctive feature of this species. The plant relies on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients, as it lacks the ability to photosynthesize effectively on its own.

Distribution and Habitat[edit]

Calypso bulbosa is found in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, it is distributed from Alaska to California and across Canada to the northeastern United States. It prefers cool, moist, and shaded environments, often growing in coniferous forests.

Ecology[edit]

The fairy slipper is a deceptive orchid, as it does not produce nectar. It attracts pollinators, primarily bees, through visual mimicry and scent. The bees are lured by the flower's appearance and fragrance but receive no reward, a strategy known as pseudocopulation.

Calypso bulbosa with visible pseudobulb

Conservation[edit]

Calypso bulbosa is sensitive to habitat disturbance and is considered vulnerable in many areas. It is particularly susceptible to trampling and habitat destruction due to logging and recreational activities. Conservation efforts focus on protecting its natural habitat and minimizing human impact.

Varieties[edit]

There are several recognized varieties of Calypso bulbosa, including:

  • Calypso bulbosa var. bulbosa - Found in Europe and Asia.
  • Calypso bulbosa var. americana - Found in North America.
  • Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis - Found in western North America.
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis

Related pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]