Compare and Contrast

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Compare and Contrast

• Old and New World slipper orchids
• Ellen Kennedy, JFK Middle School

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Paphiopedilum is the genus name of strictly old
world slipper
orchids.
As a general rule of thumb, paphs are from
Greater Asia, bear a single blossom, and have dar
k green and/or mottled foliage.
Of course there are exceptions to every rule.
Some species And many hybrids demonstrate a multi
floral habit.
Most paphs include a wide variety of spots,
hairs, and
Other bits to attract pollinators.
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Phragmipediums primarily inhabit the New World,
tend towards reds, purples, and pinks, are multif
loral sequential bloomers, and
have pale green foliage- lots and lots of foliage.
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Cypripediums are the familiar North American
Lady Slipper and its immediate cousins. These a
re single Bloomers, that bloom yellow to pink. T
hey have an intermediate foliage.
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What do they have in common?

• A modified arrangement of petals and sepals
  creating a
  
• bucket or pouch.

• Extravagant colors and patterns to attract
  pollinators.

• A slippery edge so that the pollinator falls in
  and can
  
• only escape by climbing up the back wall.

• Pollinia that is arranged to attach to the
  humiliated
  
• pollinator as it struggles to escape out the back.

• Many are terrestrial and prefer a strongly acidic
  medium.

• Virtually all have been eliminated from their
  natural
  
• environment either by collection or development.

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What makes them Different?

• The arrangement of petals and sepals varies
  tremendously
  
• and is largely based on specific pollinators.

• Old World orchids rarely come in red or purple,
• and New World orchids rarely come in green.

• New World orchids tend to have bee and moth
• pollinators, while Old World orchids may be
• pollinated by flies.

• New World orchids are more likely to be
  terrestrial.
  
• The Asian species periodically appear as
  lithophytes
  
• Or even as epiphytes.

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Slipper orchids make an excellent plant for a
novice grower as they are difficult to over-water
- unlike most other orchids- and they prefer low
light conditions.
The petals are often long and twisted.
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Some of them are huge and are named for famous
folks. This
is Paph. Winston Churchill.
Modified sepal acts as rain shield.
Pouch or bucket.
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Some are tiny and are named for their color.
This is Phrag.
Andean Fire.