Paphiopedilum Pfitz. 1886

Type Species: Paphiopedilum insigne (Lindl.) Pfitz. 1888

Synonyms: Cordula Raf. 1838 Menephora Raf. 1836 Stimegas Raf. 1836

Subfamily: CYPRIPEDIOIDEAE

Pronunciation: paff-ee-oh-PED-ih-lum

Country: India, South-East Asia, Southern China, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Bougainville and Guadalcanal.

This is a popular genus of about 80-100 terrestrial or lithophytic (rarely epiphytic) species which are sympodial in habit (they lack pseudobulbs). They produce a fan shaped growth which will flower once and can have from one to many flowers opening together or in succession.

Most plants eventually form new growths from "eyes" at the base which in turn mature to flower and form new growths. The Paphiopedilums ("Paphs") are among the most widely cultivated and hybridized of all the orchid genera. Literally thousands of hybrids have been registered with the Royal Horticultural Society with many more remaining in collections unregistered.

Paphs are ideal glasshouse or bushouse subjects and can also be grown indoors relatively easily as long as conditions to some degree match their natural habitat. Most species thrive in moderate to high humidity (50 to 70 percent), moderate temperatures ranging from 13 to 35 degrees Celsius and (in most cases) relatively low light levels.

Modern hybrids are typically easier to grow in artificial conditions than their parent species however there are many dedicated growers who choose to take the harder (and many would say more satisfying) path of specialising in growing only species in their collections.

Paphiopedilum is further divided into the below Subgenera:-

Subgenus Parvisepalum

Subgenus Brachypetalum

Subgenus Polyantha

Subgenus Sigmatopetalum

Subgenus Cochlopetalum