Summary
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 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cypripedioideae |
| Genus: | Paphiopedilum |
| Species: | P. parishii
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| Binomial name | |
| Paphiopedilum parishii | |
| Synonyms | |
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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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
Used in China for detoxification and to dispel heat, as a mild tranquiliser, treat febrile rash, pneumonia and depression.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Teoh, Eng Soon (2016). Medicinal Orchids of Asia. Springer. pp. 565–566. ISBN 978-3-319-24272-9.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Soon, Teoh Eng (1995). Orchids of Asia. Timber Press. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9812046054.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c Cribb, Phillip (1998). The Genus Paphiopedilum. Kew. ISBN 9789838120234.
- ^ "Paphiopedilum parishii". Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia. Retrieved 3 May 2021.