Calypso bulbosa aka Calypso

Taxonomy

Calypso bulbosa, also known as the calypso orchid, fairy slipper, or Venus's slipper, is a small, deciduous, perennial, herbaceous tuberous geophyte found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. This orchid genus takes its name from the Greek word signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. The plant has a round, egg-shaped tuber as a perennial organ, encased in dead leaf sheaths and elongated roots. The Calypso orchid typically grows to be 8 to 20 cm in height and produces a small pink, purple, pinkish-purple, or red flower with a white lip, darker purple spottings, and yellow beard. Its specific epithet, bulbosa, refers to the bulb-like corms. As a relatively rare houseplant, Calypso orchids need regular watering to thrive and do best in abundant sunlight, less than 3 feet from a window.

Common names

Calypso, Fairy Slipper, Venus's Slipper

How to care for Calypso

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Calypso is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Calypso should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Calypso plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Growth-pattern

Calypso grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Calypso’s native range is N. Europe, N. America - Alaska to California, east to New York.


More info:
Wikipedia