Fairy Slipper (Calypso Orchid)

Description:

The Calypso orchid (Calypso bulbosa), also known as the fairy slipper or Venus's slipper, is a perennial member of the orchid family . It has a small pink, purple, pinkish-purple, or red flower accented with a white lip, darker purple spottings, and yellow beard. Calypso orchids are typically 10 to 14 cm in height. Their little purple blooms can be a pleasant sporadic sight on hiking trails from late March onwards, though in the more northerly parts of their range they do not bloom until May and June. The plants live no more than five years.

Habitat:

Found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. This one was spotting on the trail at Snoquera Falls in Washington State.

Notes:

The plant was only about 3 inches tall and the flower was much smaller than it looks in the photos - not even an inch - so you have to look very closely to find its intricate beauty.