Protected orchid
The largest of Swedish orchids
Guckusko (Cypripedium calceolus) is actually an outsider among the orchids, but it is very beautiful where it grows in clusters. It has the largest flower of all Swedish orchids and is fragrant, as well as the one of our orchids that most resembles tropical orchids.
The flowers lack nectar but the "lip" serves as a temporary "prison" for insects that after a while find their way out, then full of flower pollen. Guckusko is a tall, sturdy orchid with a creeping, underground rhizome. The stem can grow to almost half a meter high and has three or four leaves. The flowers are usually solitary at the top of the stem. The plant is slow to develop and can take over ten years to flower.
Where is it found?
Guckusko is spread from Öster- and Västergötland up to Torne Lappmark and on Öland and Gotland. The flower grows in moist, herb-rich forests on calcareous soil. The species is rare throughout its Swedish range except in northeastern Uppland and in some areas of Jämtland.
The Swedish name guckusko is already mentioned by Linnaeus, who writes in "Flora Svecica" that they are called guckuskor in Roslagen, and gucku is even today a dialectal word for cuckoo.
Protected by law
The guckusko is protected and is on the red list of endangered species under the category "vulnerable". The main threats to the guckusko are collection, clear felling and ditching.
Visit the Guckuskon on Kinnekulle
On Kinnekulle you will find Guckuskon in Hjelmsäter. When you arrive at Hjelmsäter's manor, turn up between the barns on a small gravel road (if you come from Blomberg's direction, turn right and if you come from Råbäck's direction, turn left). A few hundred meters up there is a parking lot on the left side where you can park and then enter the path that is on the other side of the road. You will then find yourself in a nature reserve that exists precisely because the Guckuskon is here. Therefore, walk on the designated paths during your visit.
Find your way here by public transport
With public transport via Västtrafik, you can get from any address directly to the countryside. Närtrafik will drive you between any addresses within the designated area (see map). You call and order your journey at least 1 hour before your desired departure based on the given time intervals (see times). Traveling with Närtrafiken costs the same as a normal single ticket and you can pay both in cash and by bank card. Senior cards are valid together with card inspection in Närtrafiken, but not Västtrafik's other season tickets. Here you will find a map and timetable for Närtrafik
ORDER LOCAL TRAFFIC: 0771 - 91 90 90
If you have any questions or need more information, go to www.vasttrafik.se
