Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis
Fairy slipper
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Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis (Fairy slipper) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by Circumboreal genus reaching its southern Pacific coast limit in California.
Fairy slipper is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, central coast, and San Francisco Bay Area in mesic, shaded conifer forests at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate orchid produces pink and white flowers with a distinctive purple-striate lip pouch, creating an intricate slipper-like bloom about 15 to 25 millimeters long. Growing with a slender stem 7 to 18 centimeters tall, the plant emerges from a spherical corm-like caudex with no spreading rhizome. Its single basal leaf is elegantly petioled, with an elliptical to ovate blade 3 to 6.5 centimeters long. The flower features a complex structure with pink sepals, a white-hairy pouch mouth, and a base adorned with distinctive red spots.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Circumboreal genus reaching its southern Pacific coast limit in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mesic generally shaded conifer forest
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, Del Norte, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana
Bloom period
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Listera: Calypso has one large pouched flower; Listera has multiple small flowers with forked lip.; vs Platanthera: Calypso produces one large inflated flower; Platanthera has many smaller flowers in spike.; vs Epipactis: Calypso has single pouched flower; Epipactis has multiple flowers in loose arrangement.; vs Goodyera: Calypso has one dramatic pouched flower; Goodyera has many small flowers in spiral or one-sided spike.; vs Spiranthes: Calypso produces single large pouched flower; Spiranthes has many small flowers spiraling up stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis bloom?
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis grow?
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis occurs in Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis belong to?
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Calypso.
What habitat does Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis grow in?
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis grows in Mesic generally shaded conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.