Paphiopedilum hangianum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Paphiopedilum hangianum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cypripedioideae |
| Genus: | Paphiopedilum |
| Species: | P. hangianum |
| Binomial name | |
| Paphiopedilum hangianum Perner & Gruss | |
Paphiopedilum hangianum is a species of slipper orchid in the family Orchidaceae, endemic to northern Vietnam and China. Due to overcollection and habitat loss, the species is considered endangered and is listed under international conservation agreements.[1]
Paphiopedilum hangianum was formally described by Holger Perner and Olaf Gruss after receiving specimens in 1999, naming it after Tong Ngoc Hang, a Vietnamese orchid grower, who sent it to them.[2]
It belongs to the genus Paphiopedilum, commonly known as lady's slipper orchids, which are characterized by their pouch-like labellum and terrestrial or lithophytic growth habit. The species is closely related to Paphiopedilum emersonii, from which it can be distinguished by flower morphology.[2]
Description
Paphiopedilum hangianum is a terrestrial orchid species characterized by 4 to 7 distichous, coriaceous leaves that are ligulate, obtuse or subacute, and measure 12-30 cm in length and 3-5 cm in width. The upper surface of the leaves is glossy green, while the underside is a paler green with a pronounced keel. This species blooms in spring, producing a single (rarely two) flowered, erect, terminal inflorescence 6-12 cm long. The inflorescence is bearing a floral bract that is ovate, obtuse, conduplicate, and shorter than the ovary. The flower is large, slightly sweet-smelling, pale yellow to pale yellow-green in color, and measures 9-12 cm in width and 6-8 cm in height.[3][4][5]
This species has the largest flowers in its genus.[2]