Jump to content

Paphiopedilum parishii

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paphiopedilum parishii
Illustration from 1875 under the synonym Cypripedium parishii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Cypripedioideae
Genus: Paphiopedilum
Species:
P. parishii
Binomial name
Paphiopedilum parishii
(Rchb.f.) Stein 1892
Synonyms
  • Cypripedium parishii Rchb.f.
  • Selenipedium parishii (Rchb.f.) André
  • Cordula parishii (Rchb.f.) Rolfe

Paphiopedilum parishii is a species of orchid found in northern and western Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan and Assam, in montane forests at 1200–2200 m above sea level.[1] It is named after Charles Samuel Pollock Parish, an English botanist and avid plant collector who had a particular interest in the flora of Myanmar (then Burma).[2]

Plants in this species are described as being epiphytes or lithophytes. They grow in thick moss which occurs on boulders or on the tree branches of Terminalia[3] in humid and shady broad-leaved forests,[4] making them facultative lithophytes.

Paphiopedilum parishii is placed in section Pardalopetalum based on its chromosome count, multifloral inflorescence, distribution and leopard spots on the petals.[3][5]

Description

[edit]

The 5-8 leaves are clear green, lingulate, up to 45 by 4.5–7 cm and thick.[6][1] The 2-7 flowers are 7.5 cm across and open simultaneously on an inflorescence 50–70 cm long. The species has spoon-shaped tips on the long, twisted petals.[1][3] The petals taper from base to apex.[5]

Reproduction

[edit]

Paphiopedilum parishii is unique in that it evolved a specialised self-pollination mechanism as a possible adaptation to the insect-scarce habitat. The pollen grains and anther liquify and move from the apex of the filament to the stigma.[4] The main pollinator is Allograpta robinsoni, a hoverfly.[5]

Uses

[edit]

Used in China for detoxification and to dispel heat, as a mild tranquiliser, treat febrile rash, pneumonia and depression.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Teoh, Eng Soon (2016). Medicinal Orchids of Asia. Springer. pp. 565–566. ISBN 978-3-319-24272-9.
  2. ^ Dudley Clayton (2014). "The Reverend Charles Samuel Pollock Parish - Plant Collector & Botanical Illustrator of the Orchids from Tenasserim Province, Burma" (PDF). Lankesteriana. 13 (3): 215–227. doi:10.15517/LANK.V13I3.14358. ISSN 1409-3871. Wikidata Q110270510.
  3. ^ a b c Soon, Teoh Eng (1995). Orchids of Asia. Timber Press. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9812046054.
  4. ^ a b Chen, Li-Jun; Liu, Zhong-Jian (2014). "Orchid mating: the anther steps onto the stigma". Plant Signaling & Behavior. 9 (11): e976484. doi:10.4161/15592324.2014.976484. PMC 4623038. PMID 25482794.
  5. ^ a b c Cribb, Phillip (1998). The Genus Paphiopedilum. Kew. ISBN 9789838120234.
  6. ^ "Paphiopedilum parishii". Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia. Retrieved 3 May 2021.