Paphiopedilum rothschildianum

Rotschild's slipper orchid
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Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Angiosperms
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Cypripedioideae
Tribe:	Cypripedieae
Subtribe:	Paphiopedilinae
Genus:	Paphiopedilum
Species:	P. rothschildianum
Binomial name
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (Rchb.f.) Stein 1888
Synonyms
Cypripedium rothschildianum Rchb.f. (basionym) Cordula rothschildiana (Rchb.f.) Rolfe Cypripedium elliottianum O'Brien Cypripedium neoguineense Linden Paphiopedilum elliottianum (O'Brien) Stein Paphiopedilum rothschildianum var. elliottianum (O'Brien) Pfitzer

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum, commonly known as the Gold of Kinabalu orchid, is a large sized clear-leafed species of orchid. 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 distinctive appearance. The peak flowering period is from April to May.

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 in ultramafic soil but is also found growing as a lithophyte in leaf-litter on ultramafic cliffs, usually near a river.

Reproduction

The flower has a green and red spotted petal, which attracts any parasitic flies that think it is a crowd of the aphids they lay eggs on. As they try to do so, the flies brush against the stigma, releasing any previously collected pollen, and then getting some more from the anther.

External links

• Media related to Rotschild's slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum) at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Rotschild's slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum) at Wikispecies
• http://www.orchidspecies.com/paphrothchildianum.htm
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/12774613