Fairyslipper, Venus's slipper
Calypso bulbosa

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

A small orchid. It is about 20 cm high. It has a single leaf. This can be 3-6 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. It is oval in shape and has a wavy edge. The leaf lies close to the ground. There is an underground storage corm. It is about 1-2 cm across. The flower is single and nodding. It is about 3-4 cm long.

There is only one Capypso species.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It forms dense colonies in damp areas in coniferous forests. They are frost tolerant. It requires cool conditions. It grows in Arctic regions and in the Rocky Mountains. In Canada it grows from sea level to 1,400 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, North America, Tibet, USA

How it is used for food

The corms are boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, bulb, corms

How it is grown

It can be grown in a mixture of leaf mould and coarse sand. It should be watered during its growing stages.

Its other names

Local names

Calypso orchid

Synonyms

Calypso borealis Sw.; Calypso japonica Maxim.; Calypso occidentalis Heller;