Saturday, May 24, 2008

Where To Find Lady's Slipper?

I found and photographed one in a park this afternoon. Not the ones you wear on your feet though. This is a beautiful orchid named Lady's Slipper. See the little pink pouch (photo on the right). Can you see a pink slipper?

A little information on this beauty courtesy of Wikipedia:-

Lady Slippers (aka Lady's Slipper, Lady's-slipper, Ladyslipper) is a term used to describe the orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioidea, which includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium, distinguished by their slipper-shaped pouches (modified labellums), which function by trapping insects so that they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia.

Paphiopedilums are found in the tropical forests of southeast Asia reaching as far north as southern China. Paphiopedilum is quite easy to cultivate and therefore is popular among orchid enthusiasts. In fact, overcollecting of this genus has caused some problems in its original habitat.

On a side note, due to my wild imagination, I thought this Lady is also a "killer" when not in full bloom (see the photo on top right). It resembled a killer plant with the jaws of death..hahhha.

10 comments:

ZzkAng said...

Very beautiful phaphio there...if you wan to buy this slipper...i heard you can find it in one of the nursery in Old Klang Road...but I dont know which one...

jesie said...

The orchid is so pretty.

Cutest Green Witch said...

Wow... it is so pretty. A feast for the eyes!!!

carey @ ideasnpink said...

i want one for my garden! :)

Dunn said...

They are beautiful indeed..

C K said...

Hmm... I thought it look like a mouth opening, with a pink tongue sticking out!

My Bug Life said...

CK...I know what u mean. I thought it looked like a face with a big mouth waiting to swallow something.

JM said...

that's lovely and pretty orchid!

maiylah said...

resembles a killer plant, huh?! ;P
love those shots!

SheR. said...

I love orchids! I think they are the most gorgeous flowers! Love this one too. Unfortunately mine in my room died.. not enough sunshine.. :(