Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis, the Western Fairy Slipper, is always the first of our native orchids to bloom and can be found in bloom in our area for a period of five to six weeks, the bloom season later and later as one moves to higher elevations. It is a tiny thing, the single flowers only 3 centimeters tall and the plant seldom taller than 15-20 centimeters, and for that reason it is sometimes called "the Hider of the North." It seems to prefer more open areas in the woodlands and is…
