Paphiopedilum parishii

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]

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

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

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

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

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

References
  1. 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. Soon, Teoh Eng (1995). Orchids of Asia. Timber Press. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9812046054.
  4. 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. Cribb, Phillip (1998). The Genus Paphiopedilum. Kew. ISBN 9789838120234.
  6. "Paphiopedilum parishii". Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
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