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Paphiopedilum papuanum
Paphiopedilum papuanum is a rare species of orchid in the genus Paphiopedilum. Commonly known as the Papua paphiopedilum, it is endemic to the highlands of New Guinea and is considered one of the rarest Paphiopedilum species in cultivation. The species is named after its country of origin, Papua New Guinea.
Paphiopedilum papuanum is one of the rarest orchids in cultivation. Most plants in the trade under this name are actually color variants of Paphiopedilum violascens, a closely related species. The true P. papuanum is very difficult to grow from seed, though limited success with artificial propagation has been reported.
The species prefers intermediate to warm temperatures (18–23°C), moderate to bright indirect light, and humidity levels of 60–80%. It grows best in a loose, well-draining substrate such as fir bark mixed with perlite.
This orchid is endemic to New Guinea, where it occurs in three known subpopulations: Mount Carstensz (Puncak Jaya), the Arfak Mountains, and the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. It inhabits the lower montane forests between 800 and 1,700 meters in elevation.
Pointed Tooth Paphiopedilum · Paphiopedilum adductum · Appleton's Paphiopedilum · Argus Paphiopedilum · Golden slipper orchid · Bearded Paphiopedilum · Beard carrying Paphiopedilum · Egg-in-a-nest orchid · Bougainville Paphiopedilum · Bullen's Paphiopedilum · Callus Paphiopedilum · Paphiopedilum subg. Megastaminodium
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Paphiopedilum papuanum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
