The Odyssey

In the 8th century B.C., a very talented Greek author named Homer wrote the epic poem, The Odyssey. If you took a literature class in college, you may have read and discussed The Odyssey. It's basically a fascinating, long fictional story about Odysseus, the warrior-king of Ithaca. He wants to return home after fighting a long 10-year war, but the Greek Gods have other plans. The epic poem takes Odysseus and his men through many challenges of peril they must somehow survive on their journey back home - which takes another 10 years, all told. All this time he misses his wife, Penelope and son Telemachus.

One reason it takes poor Odysseus so long to get back home is that his ship and crew are lured onto the island of Ogygia, where Odysseus is detained by the seductive and beautiful Kalypso, the daughter of Titan Atlas. She offers him eternal life if he agrees to become her husband. He turns down the offer, but she continues to persuade him, apparently with many very long conversations! He remains on the island for 7 years and at some point comes to his senses and escapes. They encounter several more adventures before eventually getting back to Ithaca.

So you may at this point be wondering what Homer's story has to do with wildflowers? Now that I have lured you onto my island, I will tell you.

One of our favorite spring woodland flowers now blooming is the diminutive and exotic Calypso bulbosa, more commonly known as Fairy Slipper. Interesting also because the genus Calypso has only one species, the Calypso bulbosa. The short plant is about six inches tall and has a single oval leaf near the ground. The flower has three sepals (protective covers) and two actual petals. It's an exotic-looking single bloom, on a simple curved stem. It is aptly named after the nymph in Homer's story. As a member of the Orchid (Orchidaceae) family, it is in good company with other exotic flowers!

There are five native varieties of the plant, in most northern woodlands worldwide. Here in the Northwest U.S., we have the varietal "americana," which you see below. 

We found about a dozen of these Fairy Slippers growing in the forest at Hagg Lake a few days ago. They are hard to spot because when you look down at the understory where they grow, they blend in more than you would think. 

     

Sepals and Petals

As curious as its namesake, the Fairy Slipper life cycle is highly adapted to its habitat on the ground, rather than in a tree. In fall, each plant produces a single leaf, at the ground (photo below). This leaf remains throughout winter and is resistant to frost and snow. In spring, the 5-inch stem with the flower on the end emerges. In our area the bloom can be mid-April to mid-May depending on conditions.

The Fairy Slipper flower is a master of deception as it has no real nectar for insects to enjoy. But it  looks and smells like a flower that does! This attracts Bombus bees to enter the "slipper" pouch. When they realize it's for naught, they exit the flower, dragging some pollen with them. This batch of pollen is then deposited into the next Fairy Slipper the bee finds. After successful pollination, the bloom fades away and the seeds develop and are spread once the pod is dry in summer.

The single leaf is about the size of a quarter. Note
the stem in foreground.

Waiting for a pollinator bee.

Peeking out through a Sword Fern

White versions are not that uncommon according
to the guide books.

Front view showing leaf in back.

When you are out and about in the forest in the next few weeks, look down in the semi-shady patches. You may just get lucky and find a fairy looking for some new slippers! Just be sure not to pick the Calypso though, or you may be stranded for 7 years in the forest...