Daily Express reported today that paphiopedilum rothschildianum (sumazau slipper orchid) got the highest number of votes from the public at the Borneo Orchid Show 2007. There were 20 candidates and the sumazau slipper got 283 out of 1,047 votes, beating its nearest rival by more than 100 votes.

Now it only needs to be endorsed by the State Government and the Chief Minister before it can be called the official orchid of Sabah.

Some facts:

- endemic to Sabah’s rainforests, at elevations of 500 - 1200m above sea level.

- Commonly grows on land (usually nearby a river: it likes humidity) but can also be found growing as a litophyte in leaf-litter on non-limestone cliffs.

- Paphiopedilum is a genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It has about 77 species native to South China, India, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

- a rare species

- can take up to 15 years to flower from seedlings

- known as the aristocrat of the slipper orchid, or King of the Paphs

- A large sized clear-leafed plant, it blooms with a tall inflorescense with up to 6 large flowers. It is unique in the Corypetalum group by holding its petals almost horizontally, hence giving it a very large appearance.

- Peak flowering period is throughout April to May.

- It’s the most expensive orchid on sale at several sites selling orchids online eg, nattsorchids.com

Stunningly beautiful, uniquely Sabahan in origin and shape: I think it truly deserves such title.

Ref:

orchidsonline.com.au

Braem, G. J., Charles O. Baker, Margaret L. Baker. The Genus Paphiopedilum: Natural History and Cultivation, Vol. 1. Kissimmee, Florida: Botanical Publishers, Inc., 1998.

tigerorchids.com

flickr.com

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