Mystery Flower

The purpose of this forum is to help people identify things they've seen while out hiking: wildflowers, trees, birds, insects, small animals, animal tracks, even geographical features like buttes or streams
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K.Wagner
Posts: 652
Joined: June 2nd, 2013, 1:25 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Mystery Flower

Post by K.Wagner » May 6th, 2018, 5:50 am

Unlike kepPNW's previous inquiry, this one is pretty! :D

I saw just a few of these flowers yesterday. I was on the old Sedum Ridge Trail (climbing up from Rock Creek) at about 1500 feet.

The pretty little blossoms were only about 1/2" long & I did not see any leaves, just the purplish stem.
40-Pretty Mystery-S.jpg
41-Pretty Mystery-S.jpg
What are they?
Kelly
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RobFromRedland
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Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Mystery Flower

Post by RobFromRedland » May 6th, 2018, 6:02 am

I'm not a plant guy, but I think I know this one. I believe those are called "fairy slippers". I don't know the official name for them, but that is what I've always heard them called.

I googled it and the official name is "Calypso bulbosa": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calypso_bulbosa

A type of orchid.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW! What a ride! - Hunter S. Thompson

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K.Wagner
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Joined: June 2nd, 2013, 1:25 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: Mystery Flower

Post by K.Wagner » May 6th, 2018, 6:10 am

Rob,

You nailed it!

Thanks
Kelly
There is no shortcut to anyplace worth going to.

PM me about the soon to be released:
Skamania 231
"How to really get off the beaten path in Skamania County"

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