Calypso bulbosa

Calypso bulbosa
Calypso bulbosa, in Anacortes, Washington (state)

Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Calypsoinae
Genus: Calypso
Salisb.
Species:
C. bulbosa
Binomial name
Calypso bulbosa
Varieties
  • C. b. var. americana
  • C. b. var. bulbosa
  • C. b. var. occidentalis
  • C. b. var. speciosa
Synonyms
List
    • Calypso borealis Salisb.
    • Calypsodium boreale Link
    • Cymbidium boreale Sw.
    • Cypripedium bulbosum L.
    • Cytherea borealis Salisb.
    • Cytherea bulbosa (L.) House
    • Limodorum boreale Sw.
    • Norna borealis Wahlenb.
    • Norna borealis var. europaea Wahlenb.
    • Orchidium arcticum Sw.
    • Orchidium boreale Sw.

Calypso is a genus of orchids containing one species, Calypso bulbosa, known as the calypso orchid, fairy slipper or Venus's slipper. It is a perennial member of the orchid family found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It has a small pink, purple, pinkish-purple, or red flower accented with a white lip, darker purple spottings, and yellow beard. The genus Calypso takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. The specific epithet, bulbosa, refers to the bulb-like corms.