Section name: Orchidaceae
Corradin name: Ochidaceae
Name: Paphiopedilum
Latin name: Paphiopedilum armeniacum S.C. Chen et F.Y. Liu
Introduction:
The apricot yellow pocket orchid is a stunning and rare species known for its striking color transformation throughout the blooming period. When closed, it appears greenish, then turns greenish-yellow before fully opening to a vibrant apricot hue. As the flower matures, it shifts to a golden yellow with a radiant glow under sunlight, making it look both luxurious and elegant. The blooming cycle lasts between 40 to 50 days, which makes it one of the longest-flowering ornamental plants in the world.
Characteristics:
This orchid is an epiphytic plant with slender, spreading rhizomes. Its roots are about 2-3 mm in diameter, and it has 5-7 oblong leaves. The sepals are erect or nearly so, marked with green and purple spots and brown streaks. The flowers are solitary, featuring large, broadly ovate or suborbicular petals that are saccate (pouch-like). The color palette includes fuchsia and green, with a flowering period lasting 2-4 months.
The flowers stand out among other Paphiopedilum species due to their bright apricot-yellow color, measuring 4–5 cm in diameter and 5 cm in length. The elliptical pouch is large, with a diameter of 2 cm and a length of 3 cm. The petals feature fine purple lines, while the two degenerate stamens are golden yellow, resembling insect eyes—eye-catching and unique. The leaves are also distinctive, with rich variations in shape and posture. They range from 7–9 cm in length and 3–4 cm in width, with a purplish underside. The leaves are grayish-green with dark green markings, making this wild dwarf Paphiopedilum a rare and highly valued ornamental plant.
Distribution:
This species is found in the northwest region of Yunnan Province, specifically in areas such as Fugong, Bijiang, and Surabaya. It may also be present in Myanmar.
Altitude Range:
Lower limit: 1,400 meters
Upper limit: 2,100 meters
Habitat:
It grows in rock crevices and thrives in dry conditions. The plant typically grows singly, without forming runners. The leaves are lanceolate, around 10 cm long and 3 cm wide, with an iron-blue color and white spots on the surface. The leaves are thick and rigid, resistant to bending. It blooms in spring, producing a single flower from the center of the plant. The flower stem reaches about 25 cm in height, and the pouch is 1.5 cm wide, capable of holding a spoonful of water. This species has a unique propagation method: when new roots emerge from the old ones the following year, they grow directly in the soil. It can thrive in sand, stones, rotten wood, or potting soil, adapting well to various substrates.
Conservation Status:
National-level protection for wild plants.
Reference:
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Wild Plants (1996)
Additional Information:
In Hong Kong, the apricot yellow Paphiopedilum is affectionately known as the “Golden Boy Jade Lady.†Both this species and another Paphiopedilum are endemic to China. Their flowers are vibrant and elegant, with a beautiful yellow and pink coloration that is rarely seen. These characteristics make them excellent parent plants for hybridization in Paphiopedilum breeding programs.
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