''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of the lady slipper

orchid Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...

subfamily '' Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Orchidaceae Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...

. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

s. The genus is native to

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, south-eastern region of Asia, consistin ...

, the

Indian Subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...

, southern

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu Hiri Motu, also known as Police Motu, Pidgin Motu, or just Hiri, is a language of Papua New Guinea, which is spoken in surrounding areas of Port Moresby (Capital of Papua New Guinea). It is a simplified version of ...

and the

Solomon Solomon (; , ),, ; ar, سُلَيْمَان, ', , ; el, Σολομών, ; la, Salomon also called Jedidiah (Hebrew language, Hebrew: , Modern Hebrew, Modern: , Tiberian Hebrew, Tiberian: ''Yăḏīḏăyāh'', "beloved of Yahweh, Yah"), ...

and Bismarck Islands. The type species of this genus is ''

Paphiopedilum insigne ''Paphiopedilum insigne'' is an Asian species of slipper orchid and the type species of the genus ''Paphiopedilum''. Its name is derived from the Latin ''insigne'', meaning 'badge of honor' due to the magnificent flower. In the 19th century it w ...

''.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
/ref> The species and their hybrids are extensively cultivated, and are known as either paphiopedilums, or by the abbreviation paphs in

horticulture Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...

. Due to their popularity, Paphiopedilums have been ruthlessly gathered and poached from the wild, making them very rare or extinct there. As soon as a new species or population is discovered, poachers will take the plants for orchid collectors who pay large sums of money. Habitat destruction is an additional factor contributing to their rarity.

Description

''Paphiopedilum'' species naturally occur among humus layers as terrestrials on the forest floor, while a few are true

epiphyte An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

s and some are

lithophyte Lithophytes are plants that grow in or on rocks. They can be classified as either epilithic (or epipetric) or endolithic; epilithic lithophytes grow on the surfaces of rocks, while endolithic lithophytes grow in the crevices of rocks (and are also ...

s. These sympodial orchids lack pseudobulbs. Instead, they grow robust shoots, each with several

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

; some are hemicryptophytes. The leaves can be short and rounded or long and narrow and typically have a mottled pattern. When older shoots die, newer ones take over. Each new shoot only blooms once when it is fully grown, producing a

raceme A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the s ...

between the fleshy, succulent leaves. The roots are thick and fleshy. Potted plants form a tight lump of roots that, when untangled, can be up to 1 m long. Members of this genus are considered highly collectible by orchid fanciers due to the curious and unusual form of their flowers. Along with '' Cypripedium'', '' Mexipedium'', ''

Phragmipedium ''Phragmipedium'' is a genus of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae) (Subfamily Cypripedioideae) and the only genus comprised in the tribe Phragmipedieae and subtribe Phragmipediinae. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek ''phragma'', which ...

'' and ''

Selenipedium ''Selenipedium'' is a genus of the Orchid family (''Orchidaceae'') (Subfamily ''Cypripedioideae''). The genus has been given its own tribe, Selenipedieae, and subtribe, Selenipediinae.Pridgeon, A.M.; Cribb, P.J.; Chase, M.W. & F. N. Rasmussen (19 ...

'', the genus is a member of the

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

Cypripedioideae, commonly referred to as the "lady's-slippers" or "slipper orchids" due to the unusual shape of the pouch-like labellum of the flower. The pouch traps insects seeking

nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualists ...

, and to leave again they have to climb up past the

staminode In botany, a staminode is an often rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen, which means that it does not produce pollen.Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; ''A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent''; Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co. ...

, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia. Orchids of this genus are notoriously difficult to propagate by tissue culture; as of 2016, commercial cultivation is almost exclusively seed-based. This means every plant is unique. Paphiopedilum-fairrieanum

Members of this genus have unusual

stomata In botany, a stoma (from Greek ''στόμα'', "mouth", plural "stomata"), also called a stomate (plural "stomates"), is a pore found in the epidermis of leaves, stems, and other organs, that controls the rate of gas exchange. The pore is bor ...

. Whereas most land plants' stomata have

guard cells Guard cells are specialized plant cells in the epidermis of leaves, stems and other organs that are used to control gas exchange. They are produced in pairs with a gap between them that forms a stomatal pore. The stomatal pores are largest when ...

with

chloroplast A chloroplast () is a type of membrane-bound organelle known as a plastid that conducts photosynthesis mostly in plant and algal cells. The photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll captures the energy from sunlight, converts it, and stores it in ...

s in their

cytoplasm In cell biology, the cytoplasm is all of the material within a eukaryotic cell, enclosed by the cell membrane, except for the cell nucleus. The material inside the nucleus and contained within the nuclear membrane is termed the nucleoplasm. The ...

(including those of closely related ''

'' slipper orchids), ''Paphiopedilum'' stomata do not. This difference results in simpler, but weaker control of stomatal function. For example, most plants close their stomata in response to either blue or red light, but ''Paphiopedilum'' guard cells only respond to blue light. The fact that they lack chloroplasts has made them valuable to researchers investigating stomatal function. For example, it enabled the discovery of intracellular events that precede stomatal closure.

In horticulture

The paphiopedilums are among the most widely cultivated and hybridized of orchid genera. Spectacular new species are being discovered every now and then; for example the golden slipper orchid (''P. armeniacum''), discovered in 1979 and described in 1982, amazed growers of orchids by the extraordinary beauty of its golden flowers. In addition, growers have bred thousands of interspecific hybrids and registered them with the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nort ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

over the years. ''Paphiopedilums'' are terrestrial and evergreen in growth habit, and by careful selection of species and hybrids, it is possible to have a flowering period extending over nine months of the year. They can be grown indoors, as long as conditions that mimic their natural habitats are created. Most species thrive in moderate to high

humidity Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor, the gaseous state of water, is generally invisible to the human eye. Humidity indicates the likelihood for precipitation, dew, or fog to be present. Humidity depe ...

(50–70%), moderate

temperatures Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer. Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied o ...

ranging from 13 to 35 degrees

Celsius The degree Celsius is the unit of temperature on the Celsius scale (originally known as the centigrade scale outside Sweden), one of two temperature scales used in the International System of Units (SI), the other being the Kelvin scale. The ...

and low light of 12,000 to 20,000

lux The lux (symbol: lx) is the unit of illuminance, or luminous flux per unit area, in the International System of Units (SI). It is equal to one lumen per square metre. In photometry, this is used as a measure of the intensity, as perceived by the ...

. Modern hybrids are typically easier to grow in artificial conditions than their parent species.

Taxonomy and systematics

The genus name ''Paphiopedilum'' was established by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886; it is derived from

Paphos Paphos ( el, Πάφος ; tr, Baf) is a coastal city in southwest Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In classical antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos, today known as Kouklia, and New Paphos. The current city of Pap ...

(a city in

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...

, a place sacred to

Aphrodite Aphrodite ( ; grc-gre, Ἀφροδίτη, Aphrodítē; , , ) is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation. She was syncretized with the Roman goddess . Aphrodite's major symbols include ...

. It was said she landed at the site when rose from the sea as her birth.) and

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic peri ...

''pedilon'' " slipper". No paphiopedilum occurs on Cyprus – at least not as the genus is understood today. But it was long mixed up with its

Holarctic The Holarctic realm is a biogeographic realm that comprises the majority of habitats found throughout the continents in the Northern Hemisphere. It corresponds to the floristic Boreal Kingdom. It includes both the Nearctic zoogeographical region ...

relative ''Cypripedium'', which grows in the

Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the e ...

region. ''Paphiopedilum'' was made a valid

taxon In biology, a taxon (back-formation from ''taxonomy''; plural taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular nam ...

in 1959, but its use has become restricted to eastern Asian species in our time.

Subdivisions

The genus ''Paphiopedilum'' has been divided into several subgenera, and then further into sections and subsections: * Subgenus '' Parvisepalum'' * Subgenus '' Brachypetalum'' * Subgenus ''

Polyantha Garden roses are predominantly hybrid roses that are grown as ornamental plants in private or public gardens. They are one of the most popular and widely cultivated groups of flowering plants, especially in temperate climates. An enormous number ...

'' ** Section ''Mastigopetalum'' ** Section ''Polyantha'' ** Section ''Mystropetalum'' * Subgenus '' Paphiopedilum'' ** Section ''Stictopetalum'' ** Section ''Paphiopedilum'' ** Section ''Ceratopetalum'' ** Section ''Cymatopetalum'' ** Section ''Thiopetalum'' * Subgenus '' Sigmatopetalum'' ** Section ''Spathopetalum'' *** Subsection ''Macronidium'' *** Subsection ''Spathopetalum'' ** Section ''Blepharopetalum'' ** Section ''Mastersianum'' ** Section ''Punctatum'' ** Section ''Barbata'' *** Subsection ''Lorapetalum'' *** Subsection ''Chloroneura'' ** Section ''Planipetalum'' ** Section ''Venustum'' * Subgenus '' Cochlopetalum'' * Subgenus '' Megastaminodium''

Selected species

There are more than 550 taxa in this genus, including some 80 valid

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

. Some notable species and their natural

s are listed here, together with some assorted varieties and

form Form is the shape, visual appearance, or configuration of an object. In a wider sense, the form is the way something happens. Form also refers to: *Form (document), a document (printed or electronic) with spaces in which to write or enter data ...

s: * ''

Paphiopedilum acmodontum ''Paphiopedilum acmodontum'' is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is endemic to the Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links= ...

'' (Philippines) * '' Paphiopedilum adductum'' * ''

Paphiopedilum × affine ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The g ...

'' (''P. appletonianum × P. villosum'') (Vietnam) * '' Paphiopedilum appletonianum'' (Hainan to Indochina) * ''

Paphiopedilum × areeanum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (''P. barbigerum × P. villosum'' var. ''annamense'') (China: SE Yunnan) * ''

Paphiopedilum argus ''Paphiopedilum argus'' is a species of orchid endemic to Luzon Island of the Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republik ...

'' (Philippines: Luzon) * '' Paphiopedilum armeniacum'' – Golden slipper orchid ** ''Paphiopedilum armeniacum'' fma. ''markii'' * ''

Paphiopedilum barbatum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' – Penang slipper orchid (Peninsular Thailand to Sumatra) * '' Paphiopedilum barbigerum'' * ''

Paphiopedilum bellatulum ''Paphiopedilum bellatulum'', commonly known as the egg-in-a-nest orchid, is a species of orchid found from southeastern Yunnan, Guizhou and southern Guangxi of China to Indochina. It is also found in Myanmar and Thailand at an altitude of 1,000 ...

'' – Egg-in-a-nest orchid (SE Yunnan, Guizhou, S Guangxi to Indochina) * ''

Paphiopedilum bougainvilleanum ''Paphiopedilum bougainvilleanum'' is a species of orchid Endemism, endemic to New Guinea. Description Its leaves span 30-35 centimeters. Taxonomy It was named by Fowlie, in ''Orchid Digest'' 35: 122. in 1971. References External lin ...

'' (Solomon Islands) ** ''Paphiopedilum bougainvilleanum'' var. ''bougainvilleanum'' (Solomon Islands: North Solomons) ** ''Paphiopedilum bougainvilleanum'' var. ''saskianum'' (Solomon Islands: South Solomons) * ''

Paphiopedilum bullenianum ''Paphiopedilum bullenianum'' is a species of orchid Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asterac ...

'' (Malesia) ** ''Paphiopedilum bullenianum'' var. ''bullenianum'' (W Malaysia) ** ''Paphiopedilum bullenianum'' var. ''celebesense'' (Sulawesi to Maluku) * ''

Paphiopedilum × burbidgei ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily '' Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ...

'' (''P. dayanum × P. javanicum'' var. ''virens'') (Borneo) * ''

Paphiopedilum callosum ''Paphiopedilum callosum'' is a species of orchid found from Vietnam to northwestern Peninsular Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia ( ms, Semenanjung Malaysia; Jawi: سمننجڠ مليسيا), or the States of Malaya ( ms, Negeri-negeri Tanah Mel ...

'' (Indochina to NW Peninsular Malaysia) ** ''Paphiopedilum callosum'' var. ''callosum'' (Indochina) (including f. ''albinum'', ''P. viniferum'') ** ''Paphiopedilum callosum'' var. ''potentianum'' (Thailand) ** ''Paphiopedilum callosum'' var. ''warnerianum'' (Peninsular Thailand to NW Peninsular Malaysia) * ''

Paphiopedilum charlesworthii ''Paphiopedilum charlesworthii'' is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. Distribution and habitat Restricted in distribution to the Shan States of northern Burma (Myanmar) and adjacent bordering areas of Thailand and Yunnan, China. It ...

'' * '' Paphiopedilum ciliolare'' * ''

Paphiopedilum concolor ''Paphiopedilum concolor'' is a small terrestrial orchid first described in 1865 as ''Cypripedium concolor''. It has dark green and grey-green mottled leaves, up to . ''Paphiopedilum concolor'' is native to southern China (Yunnan, Guizhou, Guan ...

'' * '' Paphiopedilum × cribbii'' Averyanov (S Vietnam) * '' Paphiopedilum × dalatense'' (''P. callosum × P. villosum var. annamense'') (Vietnam) * ''

Paphiopedilum dayanum ''Paphiopedilum dayanum'' is a species of orchid endemism, endemic to Mount Kinabalu on Borneo. Taxonomy It was named by John Lindley in ''Morph. Stud. Orchideenbl.:'' 11 in 1886. References External links

Paphiopedilum, dayan ...

'' (Borneo) * '' Paphiopedilum delenatii'' * '' Paphiopedilum dianthum'' * ''

Paphiopedilum × dixlerianum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (''P. callosum × P. wardii'') (Myanmar) * ''

Paphiopedilum druryi ''Paphiopedilum druryi'' is a species of orchid endemic to the Agastyamalai Hills of southern India. It is the only southern Indian orchid species in the genus. Rediscovered in 1972 after its original description in 1870, wild populations were d ...

'' (S India) * ''

Paphiopedilum emersonii ''Paphiopedilum emersonii'', described in 1982, is a species of orchid named after American orchid enthusiast Emerson 'Doc' Charles. The plant blooms from late spring to early summer with one to two flowers per an infloresensce. The plant size ...

'' * '' Paphiopedilum × expansum'' ('' P. hennisianum × P. philippinense'') (Philippines) * '' Paphiopedilum exul'' (Peninsular Thailand) * ''

Paphiopedilum fairrieanum ''Paphiopedilum fairrieanum'' is a species of orchid occurring from the eastern Himalaya to Assam. External links

Paphiopedilum, fairrieanum {{Cypripedioideae-stub ...

'' (E Himalaya to Assam) * '' Paphiopedilum × fanaticum'' (''P. malipoense × P. micranthum'') (S China) * '' Paphiopedilum fowliei'' * ''

Paphiopedilum × frankeanum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family (biology), family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natur ...

'' (''P. superbiens × P. tonsum'') (Sumatra) * ''

Paphiopedilum gigantifolium ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The g ...

'' (SC Sulawesi) * '' Paphiopedilum glanduliferum'' (NW New Guinea) * '' Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum'' * '' Paphiopedilum godefroyae'' (Peninsular Thailand) * '' Paphiopedilum gratrixianum'' * ''

Paphiopedilum × grussianum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (''P. dianthum × P. hirsutissimum'' var. ''esquirolei'') (China: Guangxi) * ''

Paphiopedilum hangianum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family (biology), family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natur ...

'' Perner & O.Gruss (Yunnan to Vietnam) (including f. ''album'', ''P. singchii'') * ''

Paphiopedilum haynaldianum ''Paphiopedilum haynaldianum'' is a species of orchid endemism, endemic to the islands of Negros Island, Negros and Luzon of the Philippines. Varieties

*''Paphiopedilum haynaldium'' var. ''laurae'' Paphiopedilum, haynaldianum Orchids o ...

'' (Philippines: Luzon, Negros) * '' Paphiopedilum helenae'' Aver. (N Vietnam: Cao Bang Province) (includes ''P. delicatum'') * ''

Paphiopedilum hennisianum ''Paphiopedilum hennisianum'' is a species of orchid endemic to central Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan ...

'' (C Philippines) * ''

Paphiopedilum henryanum ''Paphiopedilum henryanum'' is a species of orchid ranging from southeastern Yunnan and Guangxi to northern Vietnam. It is named for orchid hunting, orchid hunter Henry Azadehdel. References

Paphiopedilum, henryanum {{Cypripedioidea ...

'' (SE Yunnan, Guangxi to N Vietnam) * '' Paphiopedilum × herrmannii'' (''P. helenae × P. hirsutissimum'' var. ''esquirolei'') (Vietnam) * '' Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum'' (Assam to S China) ** ''Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum'' var. ''chiwuanum'' (China: Yunnan) ** ''Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum'' var. ''esquirolei'' (Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi to N & E Indochina) ** ''Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum'' var. ''hirsutissimum'' (Assam to Myanmar) * '' Paphiopedilum hookerae'' (Borneo) ** ''Paphiopedilum hookerae'' var. ''hookerae'' (Borneo: Sarawak, W. Kalimantan) ** ''Paphiopedilum hookerae'' var. ''volonteanum'' (Borneo: Sabah) * ''

'' (Assam: Meghalaya) * '' Paphiopedilum intaniae'' (Sulawesi) * ''

Paphiopedilum javanicum ''Paphiopedilum javanicum'', commonly known as the Java paphiopedilum, is a species of orchid from southeast Asia, specifically in Java, Bali, Flores and Sumatra. Its population is decreasing due to a number of threats, causing the IUCN to list i ...

'' (Sumatra, Borneo to Lesser Sunda Islands) ** ''Paphiopedilum javanicum'' var. ''javanicum'' (Sumatra to Lesser Sunda Islands) ** ''Paphiopedilum javanicum'' var. ''virens'' (Borneo: Sabah to N Sarawak) * ''

Paphiopedilum × kimballianum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (''P. dayanum × P. rothschildianum'') (Borneo: Mt. Kinabalu) * '' Paphiopedilum kolopakingii'' (Borneo: C Kalimantan) * ''

Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (Borneo - Sarawak, Sabah) * ''

Paphiopedilum liemianum ''Paphiopedilum liemianum'' is a species of orchid endemism, endemic to northern Sumatra (Kg. Susuk). These plants were first collected in Gunong Sinabung in Sumatra by Liem Khe Wie, at 600–1,000 meters. The flowers are 8–9 cm across and ...

'' (N. Sumatra) * ''

Paphiopedilum × littleanum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (''P. dayanum × P. lawrenceanum'') (Borneo) * ''

Paphiopedilum lowii ''Paphiopedilum lowii'' is a species of orchid that occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * ...

'' (W & C Malesia) ** ''Paphiopedilum lowii'' var. ''lowii'' (W & C Malaysia) ** ''Paphiopedilum lowii'' var. ''lynniae'' (Borneo) ** ''Paphiopedilum lowii'' var. ''richardianum'' (Sulawesi) * '' Paphiopedilum malipoense'' – Jade slipper orchid (including ''P. jackii'') * ''

Paphiopedilum mastersianum ''Paphiopedilum mastersianum'' is a species of orchid occurring from the Lesser Sunda Islands The Lesser Sunda Islands or nowadays known as Nusa Tenggara Islands ( id, Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara, formerly ) are an archipelago in Maritime South ...

'' (Lesser Sunda Islands to Maluku) ** ''Paphiopedilum mastersianum'' var. ''mastersianum'' (Maluku: Ambon, Buru) ** ''Paphiopedilum mastersianum'' var. ''mohrianum'' (Lesser Sunda Islands: Flores) * '' Paphiopedilum × mattesii'' (''P. barbatum × P. bullenianum'') (Peninsular Malaysia) * ''

Paphiopedilum micranthum ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'', described in 1951, is commonly known as the silver slipper orchid or hard-leaved pocket orchid. It blooms during late winter to early summer with one flower per inflorescence. As opposed to its close sibling ''Pap ...

'' – Silver slipper orchid, hard-leaved pocket orchid ** ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' var. ''eburneum'' ** ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' var. ''glanzeanum'' (Albinistic form) * '' Paphiopedilum niveum'' (Peninsular Thailand to N Peninsular Malaysia) * '' Paphiopedilum ooii'' Koop.;

Borneo Borneo (; id, Kalimantan) is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. At the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia, in relation to major Indonesian islands, it is located north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and eas ...

(

Sabah Sabah () is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and the North Kalimantan province of Indone ...

) * '' Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus'' Schuit., Luang Aphay & Iio;

Laos Laos (, ''Lāo'' )), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic ( Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, French: République démocratique populaire lao), is a socialist ...

* '' Paphiopedilum papuanum'' (New Guinea) * '' Paphiopedilum parishii'' (Assam to W Yunnan) * '' Paphiopedilum × pereirae'' (''P. exul × P. niveum'') (Peninsular Thailand) * '' Paphiopedilum × petchleungianum'' (''P. dianthum × P. villosum'') (China: SE Yunnan) * ''

Paphiopedilum philippinense ''Paphiopedilum philippinense'' is a species of orchid occurring from the Philippines to northern Borneo Borneo (; id, Kalimantan) is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. At the geographic centre of Maritime So ...

'' (Philippines to N Borneo) ** ''Paphiopedilum philippinense'' var. ''philippinense'' (Philippines to N Borneo) ** ''Paphiopedilum philippinense'' var. ''roebelenii'' (Philippines: Luzon) * '' Paphiopedilum × powellii'' (''P. callosum × P. exul'') (Peninsular Thailand) * '' Paphiopedilum × pradhanii'' (''P. fairrieanum × P. venustum'') (E Himalaya) * ''

Paphiopedilum primulinum ''Paphiopedilum primulinum'' is a species of orchid endemic to Sumatra (southern Aceh Aceh ( ), officially the Aceh Province ( ace, Nanggroë Acèh; id, Provinsi Aceh) is the westernmost province of Indonesia. It is located on the northern ...

'' (Sumatra: S Aceh) ** ''Paphiopedilum primulinum'' var. ''primulinum'' ** ''Paphiopedilum primulinum'' var. ''purpurascens'' * '' Paphiopedilum purpuratum'' (S China to Hainan) ** ''Paphiopedilum purpuratum'' var. ''hainanense'' (Hainan) ** ''Paphiopedilum purpuratum'' var. ''purpuratum'' (China: Yunnan, Hong Kong, Guangdong) * '' Paphiopedilum randsii'' (Philippines: N Mindanao) * ''

Paphiopedilum rhizomatosum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (Myanmar) * ''

Paphiopedilum robinsonianum ''Paphiopedilum robinsonianum'' is a species of slipper orchid endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it is known from two mountains in the regency of Central Sulawesi. It is restricted to tropical montane forest habitat at approximately 1400 met ...

'' (Central Sulawesi) * ''

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum ''Paphiopedilum rothschildianum'', it is commonly known as the Gold of Kinabalu orchid or Rothschild's slipper orchid, is a large sized clear-leafed species of orchid. It blooms with a tall inflorescence with up to six, large flowers. It is uniqu ...

'' (NW Borneo on ultramafic soil) * '' Paphiopedilum saccopetalum'' (China: SE Guanxi) * '' Paphiopedilum sanderianum'' (NW Borneo: Gunung Mulu) * '' Paphiopedilum sangii'' (N Sulawesi) * '' Paphiopedilum schoseri'' (Sulawesi to Maluku) * '' Paphiopedilum × shipwayae'' (''P. dayanum × P. hookerae''). (Borneo) * '' Paphiopedilum × siamense'' (''P. appletonianum × P. callosum'') (Thailand) * ''

Paphiopedilum spicerianum ''Paphiopedilum spicerianum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is said to be endemism, endemic to Assam (India) but might actually be rather widespread, though nowhere common, between Bhutan and northwestern Myanmar. ...

'' * '' Paphiopedilum × spicerovenustum'' (''P. spiceranum × P. venustum'') (Assam) * ''

Paphiopedilum stonei ''Paphiopedilum stonei'' is a species of orchid, endemic to Borneo (Sarawak Sarawak (; ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Ma ...

'' (Borneo: Sarawak) ** ''Paphiopedilum stonei'' var. ''platyphyllum'' (Borneo: Sarawak) ** ''Paphiopedilum stonei'' var. ''stonei'' (Borneo: S Sarawak) * ''

Paphiopedilum sugiyamanum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (Borneo: Sabah) * ''

Paphiopedilum sukhakulii ''Paphiopedilum sukhakulii'' is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. Description ''Paphiopedilum sukhakulii,'' a perennial rosulate herb, is small in size, narrowly shaped, pale, and dark green. The outer side of its leaf is light and ...

'' (NE Thailand) * '' Paphiopedilum supardii'' (Borneo: SE Kalimantan) * ''

Paphiopedilum superbiens ''Paphiopedilum superbiens'' is a species of orchid endemism, endemic to northern and western Sumatra. References

Paphiopedilum, superbiens Flora of Sumatra {{Cypripedioideae-stub ...

'' (N & W Sumatra) * ''

Paphiopedilum thaianum ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natural hybrids. The ge ...

'' (Thailand) * '' Paphiopedilum tigrinum'' (including ''P. smaragdinum'') * '' Paphiopedilum tonsum'' (Rchb.f.) Stein (N & W Sumatra) (including f. ''alboviride'') * '' Paphiopedilum tranlienianum'' (Vietnam) ** ''Paphiopedilum tranlienianum'' f. ''alboviride'' (Vietnam) * '' Paphiopedilum urbanianum'' * '' Paphiopedilum usitanum'' (Philippines) * '' Paphiopedilum vejvarutianum'' (Thailand: Kanchanaburi) * '' Paphiopedilum × venustoinsigne'' (''P. insigne × P. venustum'') (Assam) * '' Paphiopedilum venustum'' (E Nepal to NE Bangladesh) * ''

Paphiopedilum victoria-mariae ''Paphiopedilum victoria-mariae'' is a species of orchid endemism, endemic to western Sumatra (Bukittinggi). Paphiopedilum, victoria-mariae Plants described in 1896 {{Cypripedioideae-stub ...

'' (W Sumatra) * ''

Paphiopedilum victoria-regina ''Paphiopedilum victoria-regina'' is an orchid species endemic to the rainforests of western Sumatra Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as ...

'' (including ''P. chamberlainianum'') * '' Paphiopedilum × vietenryanum'' (''P. gratrixianum × P. henryanum'') (China: Yunnan) * '' Paphiopedilum vietnamense'' Gruss & Perner (Vietnam) * '' Paphiopedilum villosum'' (Assam to S China) ** ''Paphiopedilum villosum'' var. ''annamense'' (Yunnan and Guangxi to Indochina) ** ''Paphiopedilum villosum'' var. ''boxallii'' (Myanmar) ** ''Paphiopedilum villosum'' var. ''villosum'' (Assam to Thailand) (including ''P. densissimum'') * '' Paphiopedilum violascens'' (N & E New Guinea, Manus Island) * ''

Paphiopedilum wardii ''Paphiopedilum wardii'' is a species of orchid found from southwestern Yunnan to Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although ...

'' Summerh. – Rainbow orchid (SW Yunnan to Myanmar) (including f. ''alboviride'') ** ''Paphiopedilum wardii'' var. ''teestaensis'' (China: SW Yunnan) * ''

Paphiopedilum × wenshanense ''Paphiopedilum'', often called the Venus slipper, is a genus of the lady slipper orchid subfamily ''Cypripedioideae'' of the flowering plant family (biology), family Orchidaceae. The genus comprises some 80 accepted taxa including several natur ...

'' (''P. bellatulum × P. concolor'', including ''P. × conco-bellatulum'') * '' Paphiopedilum wentworthianum'' (Solomon Islands) * '' Paphiopedilum wilhelminae'' (C New Guinea)

Conservation

All ''Paphiopedilum'' species are listed under Appendix I of the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of interna ...

(CITES), meaning that commercial international trade in wild-sourced specimens is prohibited, while non-commercial trade is regulated.

References

* (1998): ''The Genus ''Paphiopedilum'': Natural History and Cultivation'' (Vol. 1). Botanical Publishers Inc., Kissimmee, Florida, USA. * (1991): ''Orchids: Care and Cultivation''. Cassel Publishers Ltd., London, UK. * (1999): ''Genera Orchidacearum'' (Vol.1). Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. * (1993): ''Orchid Growing Basics''. Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., New York City, New York, USA. * (1996): ''Taylor's Guide to Orchids''. Houghton-Mifflin, New York City, New York, USA.

External links

* *
Paphiopedilum Orchids

Paphiopedilum Photo Gallery from "SlipperOrchids.info"
{{Taxonbar, from=Q131523 Orchid genera