Jewel of the Forest
This time of year, one of my favorite things to do is go for a wander in
the woods. The wildflowers are just starting to bloom here in the far
northwest corner of Montana. There are many lovely wildflowers,
but the jewel of the woods is the rare calypso orchid. Yesterday during my
meander, I was blessed to see two calypso orchids growing within in a few feet of each
other.
The calypso's range is circumpolar and includes the forests of the western US states and most of the northern US states. It is also found in Canada, Scandinavia , and the northern part of Russia. Although the calypso orchid is widely distributed, it does not grow in disturbed areas. Therefore it has become threatened or endangered in some US states, and some European nations.
The calypso is dependent on specific as of yet unidentified soil fungi for its survival. Therefore it does not live long when taken from its wild habitat. It does not transplant, nor can it be cultivated in a domestic setting.
It is a precious jewel to be discovered and enjoyed in the wild woods.
Flower: Single flower on a stem; 3 sepals, pink to lavender; 3 petals, upper 2 lateral petals resemble sepals, lower petal lip-like; purplish on outside, mottled with yellow, orange, or white on lower inside
Leaves: A single basal leaf, elliptic to ovate; 2 to 4 small scale-like leaves along a single stem
Height: 2 to 8 inches
Found: Moist, rich humus in shaded undisturbed coniferous forests
The calypso's range is circumpolar and includes the forests of the western US states and most of the northern US states. It is also found in Canada, Scandinavia , and the northern part of Russia. Although the calypso orchid is widely distributed, it does not grow in disturbed areas. Therefore it has become threatened or endangered in some US states, and some European nations.
The calypso is dependent on specific as of yet unidentified soil fungi for its survival. Therefore it does not live long when taken from its wild habitat. It does not transplant, nor can it be cultivated in a domestic setting.
It is a precious jewel to be discovered and enjoyed in the wild woods.
Flower: Single flower on a stem; 3 sepals, pink to lavender; 3 petals, upper 2 lateral petals resemble sepals, lower petal lip-like; purplish on outside, mottled with yellow, orange, or white on lower inside
Leaves: A single basal leaf, elliptic to ovate; 2 to 4 small scale-like leaves along a single stem
Height: 2 to 8 inches
Found: Moist, rich humus in shaded undisturbed coniferous forests
