The Fairy Slipper has two varieties in North America (two more in Europe and Asia). The variety we most often see in our area is the Western Fairy Slipper, Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis. That variety has a very limited range and is found only west of the Rockies and in the Cascades. East of the Cascades, however, and across North America the other variety can be found, the Eastern Fairy Slipper, Calypso bulbosa var. americana, the subject of the previous post. This post concerns the pink-flowered form of that variety, Calypso bulbosa var. americana fma. rosea. We have to go quite a ways east of the Cascades to find the Eastern Fairy Slipper in Washington and when we do the flowers are predominantly this pink form.
June 3
(eastern Washington)
Ron, absolutely wonderful! A fantastic Orchid and unique photographs.
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful. It's about a six hour trip to see them but we make it every year.
DeleteLovely and perfectly captured by words and camera lens as always, Ron. Someday I'll finally get to see this beauty in flower. Until then I shall salivate at my computer monitor over your wonderful photos :)
ReplyDeleteI am taking a German couple around next week and certainly hope I get to do the same for you sometime in the not-too-distant future. Thanks for the kind comments.
Delete