logo Calflora, a 501c3 non-profit
Taxon  Report  
SIGN IN - REGISTER
Calypso bulbosa  (L.) Oakes
Fairy slipper,   Fairyslipper orchid
© 2023 Stephanie Penn
© 2022 Marcus Tamura
© 2020 Mary Ann Machi
© 2020 Emma Shelton
© 2018 Steve Laymon
© 2023 Mary Ann Machi
© 2021 Steve Matson
© 2024 Kimberly Moses
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2024 Morgan Diehl
© 2024 Alan Bade
© 2024 Alan Bade
© 2024 Alan Bade
© 2019 John Rawlings
© 2015 Dalynn Dykstra
© 2023 Jamie Spielmann
© 2018 Saskia Raether
© 2021 Steve Matson
© 2021 Steve Matson
© 2022 cathy allegretti
© 2023 Leah Lord
© 2021 Dana York
© 2021 Dana York
© 2018 Ken Hickman
© 2023 Alaine Arslan
© 2023 Stephanie Falzone
© 2023 Stephanie Falzone
© 2020 Peter Warner
© 2018 Blair Pubols
Calypso bulbosa is a perennial herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period
Subspecies and Varieties:
Genus: Calypso
Family: Orchidaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Monocot
Jepson eFlora section: monocot

Wetlands:
Arid West: Equally likely to occur in wetlands and non wetlands
Mountains, Valleys and Coast: Occurs usually in non wetlands, occasionally in wetlands

Communities: Redwood Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, wetland-riparian

Name Status:
Accepted by PLANTS + POWO

Information about  Calypso bulbosa from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
USDA PLANTS Profile (CABU)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

YouTube: Time Lapse of Flower Development and Seed Setting.

Jepson YouTube Channel: Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis: Jepson Video for Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis

[Wikipedia] Etymology: 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. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).