Skip to main content
Close

Fairy Slippers

Calypso bulbosa

Photo by YvonneGilmore
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

40.2851, -105.688

Field Notes

Description:

Incredible native orchid that grows wild. Found at Rocky Mountain National Park. Approximately 6 inches tall. Not sure if this is actually Cypripedium reginae which seems to be considered very rare.

Habitat:

mountainous woodlands of Midwest USA

Species ID Suggestions

Fairy Slipper

Calypso bulbosa

Comments (3)

Compared to http://www.vtladyslipper.com/vtlscwebpg3REG.html The fairy slipper is only 10-14 cm in height and grows throughout Western/Northwestern USA, Western Canada, Northern Russia, Siberia, Scandinavia, and Japan. It bears only one flower per stem and only lives approximately 5 years. They are incredibly hard to cultivate due to a specific mycorrhizal dependence. The Showy Lady's slipper, on the other hand, grows to be 2-3 feet tall with 2-3 flowers per stem. It is native to Eastern region of the United States and south east regions of Canada. It is even the state flower of New Hampshire and Minnesota. Beware, they are protected in many states, and are known to cause dermatitis of the hands and face.
I should actually accredit my mother for this photo :) And "fairy slippers" is much more appropriate considering how dainty these are! I think your id suggestion is correct, thank you Craig :) I have to admit I am a tad disappointed to hear how pollinators never return to the flower due to the lack of nectar. I've always found orchids to be spectacularly interesting in the way they fool their pollinators, and many are very successful. Unfortunately these ones will never be "successful" and they have a short life in the first place. Too bad :(
Would sooo love to see these in the wild! Beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing this.
Photographed
PublishedDecember 17, 2011

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon