Fairyslippers Under Our Feet

Calypso bulbosa - Fairyslippers at Tod Inlet

I had the good fortune to join some avid walkers on a trip to Tod Inlet and Gore Park in Central Saanich. The wildflowers were out in force, although the Camas seem to be holding back their blooms for a good stretch of warm weather. BUT! Would you believe that I did get to see some faeries instead! Ok, well not exactly real, live faeries, but I did get to see their slippers :) I never thought that faeries would have such large feet, but, not much is known about faeries so this could be a remarkable discovery.

On a more botanical note, these beautiful and uncommon native perennials are members of the orchid family and are at risk of becoming endangered because they are just so gosh-darn pretty, and small. They get 3-7" tall so they fall prey to being stepped on, and not by faeries I should add.

Fairyslippers are also called Calypso orchids, named after the beautiful sea nymph in Homer's Odyssey. Calypso was that sexy lady who romanticized Odysseus for seven years on her island. I always felt so bad for Penelope, waiting and weaving, turning away suitors, meanwhile Odysseus is drinking wine and doing it with a nymph! Geesh. I guess he was under her "spell."

I can tell you one thing, this beautiful little plant has just climbed to the top of my list of treasured wildflowers. And digging them up is out of the question! If you pick them--which you must not you bad plant collectors--they will die. Guaranteed instant death of Fairyslipper and attending faerie, plus lots of bad-luck faerie dust all over your trowel!

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