Life history

Species overview

Fairy Slipper (Calypso bulbosa), a State Threatened plant, is found only in old growth white cedar swamps. Blooming occurs early May through July; fruiting occurs late June through late July. The optimal identification period for this species is late May through early June.

Synonyms: Cytherea bulbosa

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Very small orchid bearing a solitary flower with pale purple, lance-shaped petals above, a pinkish pouch-shaped petal below and a white lip with a clump of yellow hairs; single basal leaf 3 to 5 cm long and round to egg-shaped, often notched at the base.
• Flower characteristics: Flower solitary; petals pale purple to white, lance-shaped above and with a pinkish-white pouch-shaped petal below that is covered in dark red stripes; a white lip extends from the front of the pouch and a clump of yellow hairs protrude from the lip.
• Fruit characteristics: Capsule erect, cylindrical to lanceoloid, ribbed, 2 to 3 cm long.
• Leaf characteristics: Single, 3 to 5 cm long, round to egg-shaped, often notched at the base; petiole usually about 3 to 5 cm long.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early May through July
• Fruiting phenology: late June through late July
• Optimum time to identify: late May through early June

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Thuja occidentalis, Coptis trifolia, Polygala pauciflora, Linnaea borealis, Cornus canadensis, Mitella nuda, Gaultheria hispidula, Platanthera obtusata, Carex disperma, C. trisperma.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Fairy Slipper (Calypso bulbosa). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found only in old growth white cedar swamps.
• Soils: Moist soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Fairy Slipper. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Fairy Slipper. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• This species is intolerant of canopy removal. Therefore, single-tree selection is recommended as long as the microclimate is not impacted significantly.
• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.
• Avoid rapid and dramatic reductions in canopy cover or basal area in wet areas to reduce risk of swamping.
• Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.
• Maintain high forest canopy cover; this species requires shaded habitat conditions.

Other resources

Links to additional Fairy Slipper information

• Michigan Natural Features Inventory [exit DNR]
• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Vascular Plants
• Freckmann Herbarium
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use