Tag Archives: Calypso orchid

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Calypso Orchids are having a wonderful bloom this winter/spring. Peter Baye photographed this normal-colored Calypso Orchid.

And then he found this atypically-colored Calypso Orchid.

I've never seen one like the one here! In a recent Mendonoma Sightings column, I wrote - with Peter's great help - about why you should never pick one:

Please don’t pick native wildflowers. Let’s take the Calypso Orchid, for example. Such beautiful flowers to find in undisturbed forests. The slim stem is only three to four inches high, the pink flower is exquisite but quite small, and a single leaf rests on the forest duff. These native orchids need a fungus in the soil to thrive, which makes transplanting them nearly impossible. They are like finding a gift in the forest.

If you pick one or more for your own enjoyment, you might have a day or two before they wither. In the forest, they will bloom for several weeks. It’s what happens after their bloom that is extremely important. I asked Botanist Peter Baye to explain. He wrote, “Each plucked, plundered Calypso Orchid bloom potentially produces a seed capsule with many thousands of viable dust-like seed. Each capsule could spread whole new colonies of this species that is still struggling to recover after over a century of excessive logging and soil disturbance. [Picking them] represents decades and generations of potential Calypso Orchid populations sacrificed for a few days of private ornament and fragrance. Calypso Orchids don't have reproductive success every year. They rely on rare good bloom years like this one, and rare luck of escaping herbivores and flower-pickers.”

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with  you here and for explaining why we should never pick one of these exquisite orchids.

Cooler with storm clouds moving in. Rain is in our forecast for Friday night and Saturday. The Calypso Orchids should love it!

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Nancy Feehan was the first to spot a very early Calypso Orchid, Calypso bulbosa, in late January. It was close to Fort Ross School. Recently Julia Larke found her first one in bloom. You can see the single leaf on the forest duff.

Then Peter Baye found a group in the Annapolis area.

These orchids are quite tiny so don't let these photos fool you! Theses flowers are also called Fairy Slippers.

Thanks to Peter and Julia for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Today, Saturday, was magnificent on the coast. No wind so the ocean was calm, and Gray Whale spouts were seen. Temps in the low 70's - we know it won't last but for now, we are enjoying the sun and the warmth.

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Amy Ruegg spotted these Stream Violets in riotous bloom.

And delicate Calypso Orchid.

The wildflowers know spring is coming! Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

Sunny one moment, then driving rain and hail the next. It actually hailed so much in Point Arena last night, that it looked like snow, even at the Point Arena Pier. I'll be sharing some of those photos soon.

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Chris Pechal sent in the first photo of a blooming Calypso Orchid.

Don't be deceived by Chris' photo - the flower and stalk are very tiny, only about two inches high. I always first look for the dark green leaf that lays flat on the ground.

Never try to transplant these orchids as they need a fungus in the soil to thrive. They are tiny jewels of the deep forests, forests that are undisturbed by humans.

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

After all the drenching rain and hail, we are gifted with a spring-like day. Temps hit 70 degrees today. Another sunny day is predicted for tomorrow and then some more of the wet stuff.

 

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Calypso Orchids, Calypso bulbosa, are blooming in undisturbed forests now. Craig Tooley recently photographed one.

Don't be fooled by Craig's extreme close-up - these native wildflowers are very tiny, only about three inches high. Notice the leaf on the left of the flower. It is easier to spot as it lays nearly flat on the forest floor. These wildflowers need a fungus in the soil to thrive so they can not be transplanted. They are also called Fairy Slippers or Venus's Slippers.

This morning Rick and I walked our neighbor's property where a handful grow. Yes, Lonnie and Bob, they are blooming now!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

Absolutely lovely day with blue skies and a gentle breeze. Gray Whale spouts can be seen over the serene Pacific Ocean. Things are to change tomorrow with the promise of rain.