Multiflowered Paphiopedilum species
Members of the genus Paphiopedilum can be readily separated into two groups, based on their flowering habit. One group have inflorescences bearing single flowers (but there are cases of these single-flowered inflorescence species bearing two flowers on the same inflorescence, though this is a rare occurrence), whereas the other group have inflorescences bearing numerous blooms. The foliage of the multi-flowered species is always plain green, but in some species the veining of the leaf is plainly obvious, whilst the foliage of the single-flowered species is beautifully mottled to varying degrees.
Of the multi-flowered group, the most commonly seen species is Paphiopedilum philippinense, which is distributed throughout much of the Philippines, where it has been recorded from the southern provinces of Luzon, the islands of Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Leyte, Negros, and Palawan, and the provinces of Agusan and Surigao in Mindanao, and it has also been found in northern Borneo. It has been reported that some of the first plants collected of Paphiopedilum philippinense, were growing on the roots of the beautiful Vandopsis lissochiloides. The petals of Paphiopedilum philippinense stand out almost horizontally and have a slight twist. Up to five flowers can be seen on the hairy inflorescence.
There is also a stunningly beautiful form of this species, forma alboflavum, where the flowers are bright green and white, lacking the deep reddish-brown stripes seen on the normally colored form of this wonderful species.
Paphiopedilum roebbelenii is closely related to Paphiopedilum philippinense, and some taxonomists consider Paphiopedilum roebbelenii to be a variety or form of the more commonly seen Paphiopedilum philippinense. However, Paphiopedilum roebbelenii has petals which droop vertically and are much twisted, giving a spiralling appearance. This species is only recorded from the province of Rizal in Luzon. The length of the petals of this species is also longer than its relative, Paphiopedilum philippinense. One of the most beautiful of all Paphiopedilum species is Paphiopedilum haynaldianum. It is endemic to the Philippines and is found throughout much of the archipelago. This species has been recorded from the provinces of Apayao, Batangas, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija and Rizal in Luzon; the island of Negros in the Visayas; and Bukidnon, Misamis, and Surigao in Mindanao. It frequently grows on trees and has also been found growing on limestone outcrops. There are two color forms of Paphiopedilum haynaldianum, namely forma album where the flowers are yellowish green and white; and forma
laurae where the spotting on the dorsal sepal is much reduced. Forma laurae is only known from the island of Cebu in the Visayas, and it has also been seen in Bukidnon in Mindanao.
Paphiopedilum randsii was named by the late American taxonomist Dr. Jack Fowlie in 1969. It was named for American orchid nursery man Ray Rands. We have seen plants of this species almost 75 cm across the leaf span, which for members of this genus is huge. During a visit to a private nursery in Mindanao a number of plants have been observed, under cultivation, where the inflorescences were almost a meter in length, bearing up to 20 flowers. The flowers are usually brown and white, but we have recently seen an individual plant whose flowers are almost green and white.
Another beautiful multi-flowered species is Paphiopedilum adductum, which is only known from the east coast provinces of the island of Mindanao. The upright inflorescence can bear up to three flowers. Plants grow as terrestrials on the sides of east-facing mountains, where the roots ramble through the fallen leaves of the forest.