Paphinia
(pronounced: paff-IN-ee-ah)
Classification
Maxillarieae subtribe Stanhopeinae
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Overview
Caespitose epiphytes or rarely terrestrials. Pseudobulbs +/- four-angled, +/- subtending foliaceous bracts. Leaves two, oblong-elliptic, acute, petiolate. Inflorescences laxly pendent, solitary flowers or subumbellate racemes. Flowers large for the plants, showy, +/- diaphanous, laxly pendent, cupped. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar. Lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes erect, the midlobe often three-lobulate, with the lateral lobules suberect-incurved, with elongate trichomes at the apex, articulated to the column foot, variously adorned with a central callus and appendages at the base. Column elongate, gently arching, winged, with a distinct foot; pollinia 2, on an elongate stipe and minute viscidium.
Distribution
A genus of 12 species found from Costa Rica to Peru and Trinidad.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Paphinia in small baskets with a medium grade epiphyte mixture that includes moisture-retaining components. Provide medium light levels, cool-intermediate temperatures, steady watering throughout the year, and very high humidity. Paphinia are notoriously short-lived in cultivation and do not appear to tolerate repotting other than when new root growth is visible or overpotting in general. ........................................ P. grandiflora ............................................. P. rugosa
Literature
Dodson, C. H. and T. Neudecker 1990. Die Gattung Paphinia (teil 1). Die Orchidee 41:230-234. Dodson, C. H. and T. Neudecker 1991. Die Gattung Paphinia (teil 2). Die Orchidee 42(1):45-50. Dodson, C. H. and T. Neudecker 1991. Die Gattung Paphinia (teil 3). Die Orchidee 42(2):79-95. Dunsterville, G. C. K. 1979. Two and a half Paphinias of Venezuela. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 48(1):33-37. Jenny, R. 1978. Die Gongorinae: 4. Die Gattung Paphinia Lindley. Die Orchidee 29:207-214. Jenny, R. 1983. Eine neue Paphinia: P. neudeckeri aus Ecuador. Die Orchidee 34:189-191.
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