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Silver Slipper Orchid

Paphiopedilum micranthum

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameSilver Slipper Orchid

DescriptionRare and critically endangered orchid with distinctive slipper-shaped pink pouch. One of smallest slipper orchids, highly prized by collectors. Single large flower per stem, blooms late winter to spring. Native to limestone cliffs in China and Vietnam. Slow-growing but long-lived (50+ years). Challenging to grow - needs cool temperatures and high humidity. Protected species - wild collection illegal.

FamilyOrchidaceae

GenusPhragmipedieae

TribeSelenipedieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ⚥ P3+3 A1 G(3)

Ebracteate, zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry), bisexual, perianth of 6 tepals in 2 whorls (3 sepals + 3 petals, one petal modified as pouch/slipper), 1 stamen fused with style forming column (plus 2 sterile staminodes), 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Typical of slipper orchids

Features

Name 'Paphiopedilum' from Greek 'Paphos' (Venus's city) and 'pedilon' (slipper). 'Micranthum' means small-flowered. About 80 Paphiopedilum species. Discovered 1982 in China. Critically endangered in wild due to habitat loss and illegal collection. CITES protected - trade restricted. One of most sought-after orchids
Flower 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) across, single bloom per stem. Distinctive pink to rose-pink pouch (lip) shaped like slipper or shoe. Upper sepal white with pink veining. Petals short, rounded, pink-spotted. Blooms late winter-spring (February-April). Flower lasts 4-6 weeks. Takes 3-5 years from seed to first bloom
Terrestrial orchid (grows in ground, not on trees). Compact rosette of 4-6 mottled leaves, dark green with lighter marbling. Leaves 3-5 inches long, thick, leathery. No pseudobulbs. Grows from short rhizome. Very slow-growing. Evergreen
Grows 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) tall in bloom. Spread 4-6 inches. Lifespan 50+ years with proper care. Propagated by division (very slow - divide every 5-7 years) or seed (takes 5-7 years to bloom). Tissue culture used for conservation. Each growth produces one flower
Native to limestone cliffs and crevices in Guangxi and Yunnan provinces of China, northern Vietnam. Grows at 2,600-4,900 feet (800-1,500 m) elevation. Found in shaded, humid limestone areas with moss. Critically endangered - fewer than 250 plants in wild. Protected by law
Requires bright indirect light (1,500-2,000 foot-candles) - east window ideal. Needs cool temperatures: days 65-75°F, nights 50-60°F. High humidity (60-80%). Water when nearly dry - don't overwater. Grow in well-draining mix (bark, perlite, limestone chips). Fertilize weakly monthly. Hardy zones 10-11, houseplant elsewhere
Highly prized collector's orchid - very expensive due to rarity. Challenging to grow - not for beginners. Requires patience (slow growth, infrequent blooming). Symbolizes rarity, patience, perseverance. Conservation efforts underway through tissue culture. Only buy legally propagated plants, never wild-collected
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Use shallow pot - roots shallow. Add limestone chips to mix (needs alkaline conditions). Provide excellent air circulation. Avoid temperature fluctuations. Rest period after blooming - reduce water slightly. Very sensitive to overwatering and poor drainage. Patience essential - worth the wait

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificPaphiopedilum micranthum

English (Alternate)Pocket Orchid, Hard-Leaved Pocket Orchid, Slipper Orchid, Jade Slipper Orchid, Venus Slipper, Lady's Slipper Orchid

Hindiआर्किड फूल (Ārkiḍ Phūl), आर्किड फूल (Aarkid phool), चप्पल ऑर्किड (Chappal Orchid), कठोर-पत्ती वाली (Kathor-Patti Vali)

Tamilமந்தாரை (mandhaarai),

Teluguజారిణి పువ్వు (Jarini Puvvu)

Malayalamಬೆಳ್ಳಿ ಚಪ್ಪಲಿ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (BeļLi CappaLi Arkiḍ)

Kannadaಬೆಳ್ಳಿ ಚಪ್ಪಲಿ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (BeļLi CappaLi Arkiḍ)

Sanskritवनराजि पुष्पम् (vanarāji puṣpam), कणकारकः (kaṇakārakaḥ), काञ्चनारः (kāñcanāraḥ), कुद्दालः (kuddālaḥ)

Bengaliলেডিস স্লিভার অর্কিড (Le dis Sliber Orkid), সিলভার স্লিভার অর্কিড (Silverb Sliber Orkid)

Frenchsabot de Vénus, orchidée de poche

Russianорхидея серебряный башмачок (orhideya serebryanyy bashmachok), туфелька (tufelka), башмачок (bashmachok)

Spanishorquídea zapatito de dama, orquídea pequeña

GermanSilberschuh-Orchidee

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.