Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium is a genus of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae) (Subfamily Cypripedioideae) and the only genus comprised in the tribe Phragmipedieae and subtribe Phragmipediinae. It is abbreviated Phrag in trade journals.

Distribution

About 20 species of these lady's slipper orchids are known from SW Mexico, Central and tropical South America.

Description

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 80cm. The stem lacks pseudobulbs and grows about 80 cm high, showing 2 to 3 flowers.

All members of the genus Phragmipedium are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Culture

Plants grow in cool to intermediate areas with bright indirect sunlight. Plants should be watered with clean water and keep potting media wet. Plants can tolerate lots of water as long as media remains fresh. Plants are sensitive to salts. Keep fertilizers to a minimum as plants are light feeders. Plant in a mix with good air circulation. Plants can be grown in a mix of sphagnum moss, charcoal and perlite or medium fir bark with perlite.

Naming

The name of the genus is derived from the Greek phragma, which means "division", and pedium, which means "slipper" (referring to the pouch).

Synonyms

1. Uropedium Lindl. 1846
2. Phragmopedilum Pfitzer 1898

Taxonomy

The genus Phragmipedium is divided in several sections :

1. Phragmipedium : P. caudatum, P. exstaminodium, P. lindenii
2. Himantopetalum : P. caricinum, P. christiansenianum, P. pearcei, P. klotzscheanum, P. richteri, P. tetzlaffianum.
3. Platypetalum : P. lindleyanum
4. Lorifolia : P. boissierianum, P. hirtzii, P. longifolium, P. vittatum
5. Micropetalum : P. besseae, P. besseae var. dalessandroi, P. fischeri, P. kovachii, P. schlimii.
6. Schluckebieria : P. kovachii

Species

Phragmipedium andreettae P. J. Cribb & Pupulin (Ecuador) Phragmipedium besseae 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 boissierianum (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 caricinum (Lindl. & Paxton) Rolfe (Bolivia). Phragmipedium caudatum (Lindl.) Rolfe : Mandarin Orchid (Bolivia to Peru). (synonym : P. humboldtii subsp. humboldtii) Phragmipedium chapadense 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 fischeri Braem & H.Mohr (Ecuador). Phragmipedium hirtzii Dodson (N. Ecuador). Phragmipedium klotzschianum (Rchb.f.) Rolfe (SE. Venezuela to Guyana and N. Brazil). Phragmipedium kovachii J.T.Atwood, Dalström & Ric.Fernández (Peru – San Martin). Phragmipedium lindenii (Lindl.) Dressler & N.H.Williams (Venezuela to Ecuador). Phragmipedium lindleyanum (M.R.Schomb. ex Lindl.) Rolfe (N. South America to Brazil - Pernambuco). Phragmipedium longifolium (Warsz. & Rchb.f.) Rolfe (Costa Rica to Ecuador). Phragmipedium pearcei (Rchb.f.) Rauh & Senghas (Ecuador to N. Peru). Phragmipedium popowii Braem, Ohlund & Quéné (Costa Rica to Panama) Phragmipedium reticulatum (Rchb.f.) Schltr. (Ecuador to Peru). Phragmipedium richteri Roeth & O.Gruss (Peru). Phragmipedium schlimii (Linden ex Rchb.f.) (Colombia). Phragmipedium tetzlaffianum O.Gruss (Venezuela). Phragmipedium vittatum (Vell.) Rolfe (WC. & SE. Brazil). Phragmipedium warszewiczianum (Rchb.f.) Schltr. (Colombia to Ecuador)

Natural Hybrids

• Phragmipedium × roethianum O.Gruss & Kalina (Ecuador) (P. hirtzii x P. longifolium)

References

• Albert, V.Z. & B.Pettersson, Expansion of Genus Paphiopedilum Pfitzer to Include All Conduplicate-leaved Slipper Orchids (Cypripedioideae: Orchidaceae). Lindleyana 9(2) 133-139 (1994).
• McCook, L. An Annotated Checklist of the Genus Phragmipedium - 28 p. - Special Publication of the Orchid Digest (1998).
• Gruss, O. 2003. A checklist of the genus Phragmipedium. Orchid Digest 67: 213-241.
• Braem, G. J., Ohlund, S., and Quene, R. J. 2004. The real Phragmipedium warszewiczianum: a clarification of the Phragmipedium caudatum complex (Phragmipedium section Phragmipedium). Orquideologia 23(2): 87-136
• Pridgeon, A.M.; Cribb, P.J.; Chase, M.W. & F. N. Rasmussen (1999): Genera Orchidacearum Vol.1, Oxford U. Press. ISBN 0-19-850513-2

External Links

• Slipperorchids.org
• Phragmipedium Orchids