- Paphiopedilum rothschildianum
-
King of the Paphs 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Cypripedioideae Tribe: Cypripedieae Subtribe: Paphiopedilinae Genus: Paphiopedilum Species: P. rothschildianum Binomial name Paphiopedilum rothschildianum
(Rchb.f.) SteinSynonyms Paphiopedilum rothschildianum, described in 1888, is a species of orchid commonly known as the King of the Paphs. It is a large sized clear-leafed plant. It blooms with a tall inflorescence with up to six, large flowers. It is unique in the Corypetalum group by holding its petals almost horizontally, giving the flower a very large appearance. The peak flowering period is from April to May.
Contents
Distribution
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (also called 'Rothschild's slipper orchid', after its discoverer) is found in the rainforests around Mount Kinabalu in northern Borneo, at elevations from 500 to 1200 meters above the sea. It commonly grows as a terrestrial but is also found growing as a lithophyte in leaf-litter on non-limestone cliffs. It usually grows near a river.
Reproduction
The flower has a green and red spotted petal, which attracts any parasitic flies in the area, because they think it is a crowd of aphids and they want to lay their eggs on it. As they try to lay the eggs, the flies brush against the stigma, releasing any previously collected pollen, and then getting some more from the anther.
Culture
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum prefers a warm to hot bright spot. Since it is usually found nearby water it enjoys a very high humidity. Light should be as bright as possible short of leaf burn, though the plants grow quite well in lower lights as well.
References
Braem, G. J., Charles O. Baker, Margaret L. Baker. The Genus Paphiopedilum: Natural History and Cultivation, Vol. 1. Kissimmee, Florida: Botanical Publishers, Inc., 1998.
This Cypripedioideae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
