Paphiopedilum philippinense Philippine lady’s slipper orchid

Scientific Name: Paphiopedilum philippinense Stein.

English names: Philippine lady’s slipper orchid; Philippine Paphiopedilum Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Rizal, Bicol Provinces, Guimaras, Negros, Palawan, Agusan, Surigao

Habitat: Growing naturally in low to mediumelevation forests and on limestone hills.

Description. This is a terrestrial orchid. The leaves are green, ascending and leathery, to 30 cm long and to 4 cm wide. The inflorescence is erect, to 30 cm long, with 3 – 5 flowers. The lateral sepals are nearly white with green stripes; tip is yellow and the dorsal sepal is nearly white, with prominent vertical, dark purple stripes. The petals are narrow, to 16 cm long and to 3 mm wide, slightly twisted, oblique, purple; the base is yellow with three lines of large purple dots. The lip is greenish, surrounded with purplish hairs.

Conservation notes: Threatened by over-collection and habitat destruction. Paphiopedilum philippinense var. philippinense is listed as Critically Endangered in the DENR DAO -2017 List. The other, var. roebelenii, found in Luzon, is also threatened.

This species, together with other Philippine Paphiopedilums are now widely grown in nurseries as whole plants or artificially propagated by tissue culture. They are commonly displayed in local and international botanic gardens. Economic uses: This orchid is popularly grown as an ornamental and is highly sought after by local and international orchid enthusiasts. Note: The genus name is derived from “Paphos” – a city in Cyprus, and the Greek word ‘pedilon’ meaning slipper or shoe.

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