Fairy-slipper (Bruce Peninsula Orchids)

Fairy-slipper

Calypso bulbosa

Summary ⁴

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

Biology ⁵

In autumn, generally around September, the single, dark green leaf of the fairy slipper orchid sprouts from the corm (2) (4) (7). This leaf lasts through winter, even surviving under snow in the cold parts of its range (2) (4). With the arrival of spring, the orchid flowers. In Europe, this may be as soon as the snow melts (5), while in parts of North America it is said to occur in May and June (2) (7), and the flower is able to withstand any late frosts that may occur. Shortly after the flower blooms, the leaf fades for the summer (4). The flower of the fairy slipper orchid possesses no nectar and instead attracts its pollinators by deception (5). The scent and shape of the flower mimics those that do have nectar, which lures bumble bees (Bombus species) to the bloom (5). The bees land on the lip of the flower and enter the pouch in search of food. Failing to find any, the bee exits the pouch, rubbing against the column overhanging the pouch opening as it does so. Pollen is deposited on the bee and is then transferred to the next flower it visits (4). Following pollination, the fairy slipper orchid flower fades rapidly (2). By late summer, the capsule has ripened and the seeds are dispersed. The leaf withers and the plant becomes dormant until September, when a new leaf will be produced and the cycle will commence again (7).

Description ⁶

The fairy slipper orchid, which has been called the most beautiful terrestrial orchid in North America (4), bears a single, showy flower on a single, dainty, purple stem (4) (5) (6). The petals and sepals of each intricate and colourful flower are held above a large, highly-modified petal (called the lip) like a crown (2) (7). The lip is a slipper-shaped pouch, hence this plant's common name (2). The flowers, which emit a distinct, pleasant, vanilla-like aroma (4) (5), range in colour from rich purple, through shades of pink to white and are lightly veined (2) (4), while the lip is white to purple with purplish spots, and the inside of the pouch is lined with purple to reddish veins (2) (4). The area near the throat of the pouch is decorated with three ridges, bearing white or yellow hairs (2) (4). Each plant has a single, dark green, oval leaf measuring up to 3.5 centimetres long (2) (6). Both the single leaf and flower stem rise from a shallow corm, with few, short and slender roots (2) (4). On blooming plants it is sometimes possible to see the top of the corm (4). The species name bulbosa refers to the bulb-like nature of the corms (2), while Caplypso comes from the name of the sea nymph in Homer's Odyssey (5). Four varieties of the fairy slipper orchid are recognised, each differing slightly in their appearance (2).

Sources and Credits

(c) Rodrigo Sala, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/85808012@N00/2570649188
(c) Vijay Somalinga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/vijay_srv/5696581463/
(c) brewbooks, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/brewbooks/7292510706/
Adapted by bpff from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calypso_bulbosa
(c) Wildscreen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/6688713
(c) Wildscreen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/6688710

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Fairy-slipper

Summary 4

Biology 5

Description 6