Tag Archives: Calypso Orchids

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Calypso Orchids began blooming the last few days of February and are continuing through March and into April. These tiny wildflowers are always a treat to find. Reneé Jardine found this one blooming on The Sea Ranch and has kindly allowed me to share her photo with you here.

And in the photo below John Sperry has photographed a dozen of these orchids. These were blooming on a neighbor's property in Timber Cove. This photo shows you how tiny they are! Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

Calypso Orchids should never be dug up and transplanted as they need a fungus in the soil to grow. Just leave them be and enjoy their beauty.

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One sign of spring on the Mendonoma Coast is the appearance of the Queen of the wildflowers, the exquiste Calypso Orchid. A patch of a dozen or so bloom on a neighboring property in an untouched forest. To find them in the dark duff is like finding a living jewel. Notice the dark green leaf which is flat on the duff. The leaf appears first, then the slender stalk with the orchid flower. It's not very big, so to find one is proof that you are paying attention!