Cytherea bulbosa

(L.) House

Calypso

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Description

Calypso is a temperate orchid with edible bulbs. It belongs to the Orchidaceae family and grows in temperate regions.

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Edible Uses

Attempts at garden cultivation are not successful and transplanting usually will kill plants. The structure of the corms suggest that the species is dependent on mycorrhizal relationships with soil funguses that are lost during transplantation. The corms have been used as a food source by North American native peoples. The Nlaka'pamux of British Columbia used it as a treatment for mild epilepsy.

Traditional Uses

The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Alaska, North America, USA,

References (1)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)