Phragmipedium
Encyclopedia
Phragmipedium is a genus
of the Orchid
family (Orchidaceae) (Subfamily Cypripedioideae) and the only genus comprised in the tribe
Phragmipedieae and subtribe Phragmipediinae. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek phragma, which means "division", and pedium, which means "slipper" (referring to the pouch). It is abbreviated 'Phrag' in trade journals.
About 20 species
of these lady's slipper
orchids are known from SW Mexico
, Central
and tropical South America
.
All members of the genus Phragmipedium are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The exact number of species is still being discussed among specialists : O. Gruss recognizes 20 species, compared to the 15 species accepted by Lucile M. McCook (see References).
Most Phragmipedium species are either terrestrial
, epiphytic
or lithophytic
in habit. They show a unique shieldlike staminode, long, moustache-like petals and a 3-locular ovary. The large pouchlike lip
is curved inwards at the margins. The acute leaves attain a length of about 80 cm. The stem lacks pseudobulbs and grows about 80 cm high, showing 2 to 3 flowers.
Phragmipedium besseae was first found in Peru by Elizabeth Locke Besse in 1981. Soon afterwards, the site was plundered and destroyed by orchid hunters. Luckily enough seed was preserved, to avert extinction. This orchid is unusual, because its flowers have a bright orange-red to almost strong salmon-red color (there is also a yellow variety), unseen in any lady's slipper orchid. The oval-shaped petals are wide. The narrow leaves are elliptic in shape. It has since been used extensively in hybridization.
Phragmipedium caudatum is considered a complex, i.e. it could contain several species or subspecies, based on differences in flower size and color. This orchid with a short stem is semi-terrestrial, semi-lithophytic to epiphytic, depending on the substrate . The cream-colored flowers are laced with greenish stripes. The lateral spiraling, drooping petals are red-tinted and very long, even reaching the soil. They grow on wet, moss-covered hillsides.
Phragmipedium lindleyanum, named after John Lindley
, forms a rosette of five long linear leaves with a yellow margin, reaching a length of 50 cm. The erect raceme can grow as high as 1 m. It is many-flowered and sometimes branched at the basis. The flowers open in succession, giving the orchid a long blooming period. The hoary flowers are green with brown veins. The glabrous, pouchlike lip is yellow, with red veins.
Phragmipedium longifolium, described in 1852 by H.G. Reichenbach f.
and J. v. Warscewicz, has long laceolate leaves without yellow margin, growing to a length of 60 cm. The inflorescence reaches a length of 1 m, with about 10 flowers, opening in succession. The long lateral petals are purplish green. The rather small glabrous labellum has a green color.
Allied genera include Paphiopedilum
, Selenipedium
, Cypripedium
and the monotypic Mexipedium.
There are many interspecific hybrids. Rare crossings have been made between Phragmipedium and Paphiopedilum.
is generally included in Phragmipedium.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the Orchid
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
family (Orchidaceae) (Subfamily Cypripedioideae) and the only genus comprised in the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Phragmipedieae and subtribe Phragmipediinae. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek phragma, which means "division", and pedium, which means "slipper" (referring to the pouch). It is abbreviated 'Phrag' in trade journals.
About 20 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of these lady's slipper
Lady's Slipper
Lady's slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids are the orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioidea, which includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium...
orchids are known from SW Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and tropical South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
All members of the genus Phragmipedium are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Taxonomy
The genus Phragmipedium is divided into several sections :- Phragmipedium : P. caudatum, P. exstaminodium, P. lindenii
- Himantopetalum : P. caricinum, P. christiansenianum, P. pearcei, P. klotzscheanum, P. richteri, P. tetzlaffianum.
- Platypetalum : P. lindleyanum
- Lorifolia : P. boissierianum, P. hirtzii, P. longifolium, P. vittatum
- Micropetalum : P. besseae, P. besseae var. dalessandroi, P. fischeri, P. kovachii, P. schlimii.
- Schluckebieria : P. kovachii
The exact number of species is still being discussed among specialists : O. Gruss recognizes 20 species, compared to the 15 species accepted by Lucile M. McCook (see References).
Most Phragmipedium species are either terrestrial
Terrestrial plant
A terrestrial plant is one that grows on land. Other types of plants are aquatic , epiphytic , lithophytes and aerial ....
, epiphytic
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
or lithophytic
Lithophyte
Lithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
in habit. They show a unique shieldlike staminode, long, moustache-like petals and a 3-locular ovary. The large pouchlike lip
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
is curved inwards at the margins. The acute leaves attain a length of about 80 cm. The stem lacks pseudobulbs and grows about 80 cm high, showing 2 to 3 flowers.
Phragmipedium besseae was first found in Peru by Elizabeth Locke Besse in 1981. Soon afterwards, the site was plundered and destroyed by orchid hunters. Luckily enough seed was preserved, to avert extinction. This orchid is unusual, because its flowers have a bright orange-red to almost strong salmon-red color (there is also a yellow variety), unseen in any lady's slipper orchid. The oval-shaped petals are wide. The narrow leaves are elliptic in shape. It has since been used extensively in hybridization.
Phragmipedium caudatum is considered a complex, i.e. it could contain several species or subspecies, based on differences in flower size and color. This orchid with a short stem is semi-terrestrial, semi-lithophytic to epiphytic, depending on the substrate . The cream-colored flowers are laced with greenish stripes. The lateral spiraling, drooping petals are red-tinted and very long, even reaching the soil. They grow on wet, moss-covered hillsides.
Phragmipedium lindleyanum, named after John Lindley
John Lindley
John Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
, forms a rosette of five long linear leaves with a yellow margin, reaching a length of 50 cm. The erect raceme can grow as high as 1 m. It is many-flowered and sometimes branched at the basis. The flowers open in succession, giving the orchid a long blooming period. The hoary flowers are green with brown veins. The glabrous, pouchlike lip is yellow, with red veins.
Phragmipedium longifolium, described in 1852 by H.G. Reichenbach f.
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach was an ornithologist, botanist and the foremost German orchidologist of the 19th century...
and J. v. Warscewicz, has long laceolate leaves without yellow margin, growing to a length of 60 cm. The inflorescence reaches a length of 1 m, with about 10 flowers, opening in succession. The long lateral petals are purplish green. The rather small glabrous labellum has a green color.
Allied genera include Paphiopedilum
Paphiopedilum
The paphiopedilums – often abbreviated Paph and colloquially known as paphs in horticulture – are flowering plants in the orchid family . It contains about 80 accepted species nowadays, some of which are natural hybrids...
, Selenipedium
Selenipedium
Selenipedium is a genus of the Orchid family . The genus has been given its own tribe, Selenipedieae, and subtribe, Selenipediinae...
, Cypripedium
Cypripedium
Cypripedium is a genus of 47 species of lady's-slipper orchids native to temperate and colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere.Some grow in the tundra in Alaska and Siberia, which is an unusually cold habitat for orchids. They can withstand extreme cold, growing under the snow and blooming when...
and the monotypic Mexipedium.
There are many interspecific hybrids. Rare crossings have been made between Phragmipedium and Paphiopedilum.
Synonymy
The genus Uropedium Lindl.John Lindley
John Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
is generally included in Phragmipedium.
Species
- Phragmipedium andreettae P. J. Cribb & Pupulin (Ecuador)
- Phragmipedium besseaePhragmipedium besseaePhragmipedium besseae is a newly discovered species of Phragmipedium genus. It is a terrestrial orchid native to the wet montane forests on the eastern slope of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru....
Dodson & J.Kuhn (Ecuador to N. Peru).- Phragmipedium besseae var. besseae (E. Ecuador to N. Peru). Hemicr.
- Phragmipedium bessae var. flavum (Braem) Gruss et Roeth 1999 (Peru) (now synonym of Phragmipedium besseae var. besseae)
- Phragmipedium besseae var. dalessandroi (Dodson & O.Gruss) A.Moon & P.J.Cribb (S. Ecuador). Hemicr.
- Phragmipedium boissierianumPhragmipedium boissierianumPhragmipedium boissierianum is a species of orchid occurring from southern Ecuador to Peru....
(Rchb.f.) Rolfe (S. Ecuador to Peru).- Phragmipedium boissierianum var. boissierianum (Peru). Hemicr.
- Phragmipedium boissierianum var. czerwiakowianum (Rchb.f.) O.Gruss (S. Ecuador to Peru)
- Phragmipedium brasiliense Quené & O.Gruss (Brazil)
- Phragmipedium caricinumPhragmipedium caricinumPhragmipedium caricinum is a species of orchid occurring from Bolivia to Brazil ....
(Lindl. & Paxton) Rolfe (Bolivia). - Phragmipedium caudatumPhragmipedium caudatumPhragmipedium caudatum, commonly called the Mandarin Orchid, is a species of orchid occurring from Peru to Bolivia. It is the type species of the genus Phragmipedium....
(Lindl.) Rolfe : Mandarin Orchid (Bolivia to Peru). (synonym : P. humboldtii subsp. humboldtii) - Phragmipedium chapadensePhragmipedium chapadensePhragmipedium chapadense is a species of orchid endemic to Brazil ....
Campacci & R.Takase (Brazil). - Phragmipedium christiansenianum O.Gruss & Roeth (Colombia) (now synonym of Phragmipedium longifolium (Warsz. & Rchb.f.) Rolfe)
- Phragmipedium exstaminodium Castaño, Hágsater & E.Aguirre (Mexico - Chiapas to Guatemala).
- Phragmipedium fischeriPhragmipedium fischeriPhragmipedium fischeri is a species of orchid endemic to Ecuador ....
Braem & H.Mohr (Ecuador). - Phragmipedium hirtziiPhragmipedium hirtziiPhragmipedium hirtzii is a species of orchid endemic to northern Ecuador....
Dodson (N. Ecuador). - Phragmipedium humboldtii (Warsz. ex Rchb.f.) J.T.Atwood & Dressler (Costa Rica to Panama) (now synonym of : Phragmipedium popowii Braem, Ohlund & Quéné)
- Phragmipedium klotzschianumPhragmipedium klotzschianumPhragmipedium klotzschianum is a species of orchid found from southeastern Venezuela to Guyana and northern Brazil....
(Rchb.f.) Rolfe (SE. Venezuela to Guyana and N. Brazil). - Phragmipedium kovachiiPhragmipedium kovachiiPhragmipedium kovachii is an orchid species discovered in 2001 in the Amazon jungle of NE Peru, which is considered to be the most important orchid species to be found in the Neotropics in the last 100 years. Phragmipedium kovachii is a terrestrial orchid, growing in tufts...
J.T.Atwood, Dalström & Ric.Fernández (Peru – San Martin). - Phragmipedium lindeniiPhragmipedium lindeniiPhragmipedium lindenii is a species of orchid found from Venezuela to Ecuador....
(Lindl.) Dressler & N.H.Williams (Venezuela to Ecuador). - Phragmipedium lindleyanumPhragmipedium lindleyanumPhragmipedium lindleyanum is a species of orchid ranging from northern South America to Brazil ....
(M.R.Schomb. ex Lindl.) Rolfe (N. South America to Brazil - Pernambuco). - Phragmipedium longifoliumPhragmipedium longifoliumPhragmipedium longifolium is a species of orchid ranging from Costa Rica to Ecuador. Phragmipedium longifolium is a herb found natively in the coastal and Andean regions of Ecuador, among other surrounding countries.-References:...
(Warsz. & Rchb.f.) Rolfe (Costa Rica to Ecuador). - Phragmipedium pearceiPhragmipedium pearceiPhragmipedium pearcei is a species of orchid ranging from Ecuador to northern Peru....
(Rchb.f.) Rauh & Senghas (Ecuador to N. Peru). - Phragmipedium popowii Braem, Ohlund & Quéné (Costa Rica to Panama)
- Phragmipedium reticulatumPhragmipedium reticulatumPhragmipedium reticulatum is a species of orchid ranging from southern Ecuador to Peru....
(Rchb.f.) Schltr. (Ecuador to Peru). - Phragmipedium richteriPhragmipedium richteriPhragmipedium richteri is a species of orchid endemic to Peru....
Roeth & O.Gruss (Peru). - Phragmipedium × roethianum O.Gruss & Kalina (Ecuador) (P. hirtzii x P. longifolium)
- Phragmipedium schlimiiPhragmipedium schlimiiPhragmipedium schlimii is a species of orchid endemic to Colombia....
(Linden ex Rchb.f.) (Colombia). - Phragmipedium tetzlaffianumPhragmipedium tetzlaffianumPhragmipedium tetzlaffianum is a species of orchid endemic to Venezuela....
O.Gruss (Venezuela). - Phragmipedium vittatumPhragmipedium vittatumPhragmipedium vittatum is a species of orchid endemic to west-central and southeastern Brazil....
(Vell.) Rolfe (WC. & SE. Brazil). - Phragmipedium wallisii (Rchb.f.) Garay (now synonym of : Phragmipedium warszewiczianum (Rchb.f.) Schltr.)
- Phragmipedium warszewiczianumPhragmipedium warszewiczianumPhragmipedium warszewiczianum is a species of orchid occurring from Colombia to Ecuador....
(Rchb.f.) Schltr. (Colombia to Ecuador)