Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Double Flowered Paphiopedilum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paphiopedilum dianthum f. album
• Paphiopedilum aranianum
• Paphiopedilum parishii var. dianthum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Asparagales, it is a member of the Orchidaceae family. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Paphiopedilum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found in several distinct regions across Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving into the Indo-China peninsula, the species also inhabits the country of Laos. Additionally, it can be located within the borders of Vietnam. Together, these areas define the specific geographical range of Paphiopedilum dianthum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Paphiopedilum dianthum is characterized by its status as a perennial herb, specifically classified through its life forms as a hemicryptophyte (under both the Life_form_2 and Life_form_1 categories). This classification indicates that its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or substrate, which allows the plant to survive seasonal fluctuations in its natural habitat. As a member of the slipper orchid genus, its developmental cycle involves a slow growth pattern where it establishes itself in specific microhabitats, often utilizing its root system to anchor in rocky crevices or humus-rich layers. The plant progresses from seed germination—often requiring specific mycorrhizal fungal associations—to the development of fleshy, multi-leaved structures that facilitate nutrient storage and survival through dormant periods. This hemicryptophytic strategy ensures that the vital regenerative tissues remain shielded from environmental stressors, enabling the plant to emerge and flower periodically throughout its long life cycle.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Paphiopedilum dianthum is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting plant, functioning as an obligatory, self-supporting structure that does not require external support to maintain its posture. It is an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit any parasitic behavior and maintains its own nutritional processes. Furthermore, its ecological positioning is strictly terrestrial, as it grows in soil or leaf litter rather than adhering to other surfaces as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Paphiopedilum dianthum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)