The Variegated Thumb

My parents-in-law returned from their recent trip to California with an orchid for me.  This is my first ever “lady slipper” orchid.  It opened about a week after they brought it home to me.

Paphiopedilum bloom

It is not labeled, other than the genus of Paphiopedilum.  I imagine this is a hybrid, rather than a species, but I don’t know enough about this genus to know for sure.  Paphiopedilum is the genus of Asian lady slippers, while Cypripedium,  Selenipedium, Phragmipedium and the monotypic genus Mexipedium are the American lady slipper genera.  [Can you guess the only location where the single Mexipedium species grows?]  There are about 80 naturally occurring species of Paphiopedilums, including a couple of natural hybrids.  Paphiopedilums are all sympodial, meaning that they grow along a creeping rhizome (like an Iris).

Paphiopedilum plant

I have looked through a photo gallery of species pictures and my particular plant doesn’t really resemble any of the true species.  The photo gallery of hybrids is much too large for me to narrow down my potential hybrid.  The orchid is very attractive, having nice leaves, even when not blooming.

Paphiopedilum leaves