Paphiopedilum gratrixianum   ROLFE

Section: Paphiopedilum

Synonym: Paph. christensonianum 

 

Paph. gratrixianum is closely related to Paph. villosum and is considered by some taxonomists only as a variety of villosum.

Paph. gratrixianum has a wide distribution area: northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southern China. the flower color is variable, but only a few varieties have been described.

The new description of the Paph. christensonianums in 2010 has caused confusion - obviously the plant, which has been cultivated in our country for decades as Paph. gratrixianum now cultivated as Paph. christensonianum.

In contrast to the Paph. cristensonianum have the "true" Paph. gratrixianum according to the original description only a few purple spots on the underside of the leaves:

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Paph. gratrixianum f. album

 

 

 

a new color variant of Paph. gratrixianum or Paph. christensonianum from southern Laos? Images are by Sulivong Luang Aphay

 

 

 

 

Paph. gratrixianum in situ

 

 

 

 

more pictures in situ (Central Laos) from Sulivong Luang Aphey