[Botany • 2025] Paphiopedilum motuoense (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) • A New Species from Motuo, Xizang, China

Paphiopedilum motuoense  M. N. Wang, F. X. Tang & W. H. Rao,

in Tang, Rao,  Zhang, Wu, M. Wang, Li, Chen, Duan et M.-N. Wang. 2025. 

墨脱兜兰  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.145861 

 Abstract

Paphiopedilum motuoense, a newly discovered orchid from Motuo County, Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Paphiopedilum motuoense can be distinguished from the related Paphiopedilum species P. qingyongii and P. venustum by several distinctive features: a significantly smaller staminode above the column, a distinct purplish-red lip with purplish-brown veins, pouched with erect and triangular auriculas on both sides of its mouth, and leaves with pale green and pale yellowish-green tessellations. The novelty is also well supported as a new species by molecular phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, the complete chloroplast genome of P. motuoense, 157,218 bp in length, was assembled and annotated. It contains an LSC region of 86,275 bp, SSC region of 949 bp and two IRs of 34,997 bp, with 120 genes, including 76 PCGs, 36 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes.

Key words: China, new orchid species, Paphiopedilum motuoense, plastid genome

Paphiopedilum motuoense and its allies
a1–d1 Paphiopedilum motuoense a1 whole plant b1 leaf c1 flower d1 staminode.
a2–d2 P. venustum a2 whole plant b2 leaf c2 flower d2 staminode.
a3–d3 P. qingyongii a3 whole plant b3 leaf c3 flower d3 staminode.

Images of living plants of Paphiopedilum motuoense 
A whole plant B, C flower (side view and back view) D, E dorsal sepal (front view and back view) F, G synsepal (front view and back view) H, I petal (front view and back view) J–L lip (front view, side view and back view) M lip (vertical section) N ovary and column (with bract, synsepal and staminode) O–Q column (back view and side view) R, S staminode (front view and back view).

Paphiopedilum motuoense
  A whole plant B, C flower (side view and back view) D, E dorsal sepal (front view and back view) F, G synsepal (front view and back view) H, I petal (front view and back view) J–L lip (front view, side view and back view) M lip (vertical section) N ovary and column (with bract, synsepal and staminode) O–Q column (back view and side view) R, S staminode (front view and back view).

 Paphiopedilum motuoense M. N. Wang, F. X. Tang & W. H. Rao, sp. nov.

  Chinese name. 墨脱兜兰

Diagnosis. Paphiopedilum motuoense is similar to P. venustum and P. qingyongii in morphology, but differs from them by having a smaller staminode, petals flushed with purplish red, a purplish red lip with purplish brown veins, pouched with erect and triangular auriculas on both sides of mouth, and leaves adaxially tessellated with pale green and pale yellowish green (Table 1, Fig. 1).

Feng-Xia Tang, Wen-Hui Rao, Ze Zhang, Xin-Yi Wu, Meng Wang, Jian Li, Jie-Shan Chen, Xiao-Juan Duan and Mei-Na Wang. 2025. Paphiopedilum motuoense (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae), A New Species from Motuo, Xizang, China. PhytoKeys. 259: 131-144. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.145861 

 

[Botany • 2022] Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense (Orchidaceae) • A New Slipper Orchid from Northern Thailand

Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense W. Tongkham, S. Pumikong, N. Potapohn & W. Bundithya, 

in Tongkham, Pumikong, Potapohn et Bundithya, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.531.1.1 

facebook.com/WicharujSlipperorchids

 

 Abstract

A new endemic slipper orchid in the family Orchidaceae from Northern Thailand was described according to morphological and molecular analyses. Morphological information specifies the new slipper orchid Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense to be similar to Paphiopedilum charlesworthii (Rolfe) Pfitzer 1895, with the exception of its staminode being obovate-obcordate with yellow color, glittery and rough surface. Molecular analysis by AFLP technique indicates that Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense can be included as a member of section Paphiopedilum and is closely related to Paphiopedilum coccineum Perner, H. & Herrmann, R. (2000) (syn. Paphiopedilum barbigerum var. coccineum), from which it differs morphologically by dorsal sepal and petal characters. The morphological and molecular evidence supported that Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense is a new slipper orchid in the genus Paphiopedilum (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae).

 

Keywords: Monocots, Thai orchids, orchid dendrogram, lady’s slipper orchids, plant taxonomy

 Some flower variation of Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense, whole plant and flower. (photos by W. Tongkham)

 

Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense W. Tongkham, S. Pumikong, N. Potapohn & W. Bundithya, ssp. nov.

Distribution: —Endemic to Northern Thailand, Lampang province.

Habitat: —Grow on lightly shaded or vertical cliffs on limestone with its roots adhere in cracks or on narrow shelves of limestone.

Etymology: — lannaense describes the name of biggest ancient kingdom (Lanna) in Northern Thailand.

Notes: —This new slipper orchid is morphologically close to Paphiopedilum charlesworthii , from which it differs by its dorsal sepal character, smaller flower size, and its staminode is obovate-obcordate with yellow color, rough surface, glittery and raised yellow wart.

   

Wicharuj Tongkham, Supalak Pumikong, Nuttha Potapohn and Weenun Bundithya. 2022. Paphiopedilum charlesworthii var. lannaense, A New Slipper Orchid from Northern Thailand identified by morphological and AFLP analyses.  Phytotaxa. 531(1); 1-17. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.531.1.1

 facebook.com/WicharujSlipperorchids/posts/1384009525664314

facebook.com/SlipperOrchidsAustralia/photos/4966327486767542/

 qsbg.org/database/botanic_book%20full%20option/search_detail.asp?botanic_id=2001

Researchgate.net/publication/357808406_Paphiopedilum_charlesworthii_var_lannaense_a_new_slipper_orchid_from_Northern_Thailand

  

[Botany • 2019] Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, P. spicerianum & P. venustum • Distribution and Habitats of Paphiopedilum Pfitzer (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) known to Occur in Bhutan

 Paphiopedilum fairrieanum and P. venustum growing side by side, Ngangla, Zhemgang.

in Gurung, Gyeltshen, Tobgay, et al., 2019.

  DOI: 10.11609/jott.3431.11.9.14101-14111 

 facebook.com/theJoTT 

ABSTRACT

Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, P. spicerianum, and P. venustum (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) are reported to occur in Bhutan, of which the former is known to be Critically Endangered and the latter two are Endangered.  Based on numerous field trips conducted over the last decade, populations of P. fairrieanum and P. venustum were located in Bhutan.  No individual of P. spicerianum, however, was found despite many search attempts.  Its occurrence in Bhutan may have been originally erroneous.  Based on the accessibility of the habitats, six 10m × 10m quadrats were defined to enumerate the plant species found in the Paphiopedilum habitats.  Vegetation analyses and cluster dendrograms of the plant species composition indicated the presence of three forest types with distinct species compositions.  Paphiopedilum fairrieanum was found growing mainly as a lithophyte on seasonally dry limestone cliffs or on limestone outcrops with a comparatively open forest canopy.  These populations were mostly located on southwest- or northwest-facing slopes with soil pH ranging from 7.1 to 7.8.  Paphiopedilum venustum, in contrast, was a ground-dwelling species restricted to relatively dense forests with soil pH ranging from 7.1 to 7.5.

Keywords: Cluster dendrogram, eastern Himalaya, orchid, Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, P. spicerianum, P. venustum, vegetation analysis

Paphiopedilum fairrieanum and P. venustum growing side by side, Ngangla, Zhemgang.

photo: Nima Gyeltshen

Dhan Bahadur Gurung, Nima Gyeltshen, Kezang Tobgay, Stig Dalström, Jangchu Wangdi, Bhakta Bahadur Ghalley, Lekey Chaida, Phuntsho, Ngawang Gyeltshen, Kelzang Dawa, Tandin Wangchuk, Rebecca Pradhan, Thomas Hoijer and Choki Gyeltshen. 2019. Distribution and Habitats of Paphiopedilum Pfitzer (Orchidaceae) known to Occur in Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11(9); 14101-14111. DOI: 10.11609/jott.3431.11.9.14101-14111

facebook.com/theJoTT/photos/10157763417931122

[Botany • 2018] Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus (Orchidaceae) • A New Species from Laos

 Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus

Schuit., Luang Aphay & Iio

in Schuiteman, Luang Aphay & Iio. 2018. 

ເອື້ອງດິນແມງກະເບື້ອລາວ ||   Kew.org 

 orchideen-journal.de

Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus 

Schuit, Luang Aphay & Iio

ເອື້ອງດິນແມງກະເບື້ອລາວ 

Andre Schuiteman, Sulvng Luang Aphay and Shunsuke Iio. 2018. Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Laos. Orchideen Journal. 6(4); 1-21. 

orchideen-journal.de/permalink/OrchideenJournal_Vol6_4.pdf

Top 13 species discovered in 2018
Kew.org/blogs/in-the-gardens/top-13-species-discovered-in-2018

ເອື້ອງດິນແມງກະເບື້ອລາວ, ເປັນພືດຊະນິດທີ່ພົບໃນຕະຫຼາດຂາຍດອກເຜິ້ງທີ່ວຽງຈັນ,

ໂດຍ ທ່ານ ສຸລິວົງ   twitter.com/LaoBiodiversity/status/1006445235700883457

       

Recently, new species of Paphiopedilum have discovered from Laos and descrived. Now other species descovered newly from Laos descrived as a new species, Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus on OrchideenJournal Vol.6-4, 5 June 2018, by Andre Schuiteman, Sulvng Luang Aphay and Shunsuke Iio.

orchid.or.jp/orchid/people/tanaka/orchid/org/shinshu/enshinshu83.html

New orchid species identified in Laos

annx.asianews.network/content/new-orchid-species-identified-laos-74386

ພົບດອກເອື້ອງຊະນິດພັນໃໝ່ Paphiopedilum papilio-laoticus ຢູ່ໃນປະເທດລາວ 61.91.93.33/33232 via @sanook

[Botany • 2017] Paphiopedilum myanmaricum • A New Species of Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae) from Myanmar

Paphiopedilum myanmaricum  Koopowitz, Iamwir. & Laohap.

รองเท้านารีแดงสิงขร หรือ รองเท้านารีศรีเมียนมา (2017) DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.324.1.9 

Abstract

A distinctively different and new species of Paphiopedilum Pfitzer belonging to subgenus Brachypetalum (Hallier) Pfitzer is described from Myanmar. Cribb (1998) enumerates only four species. Since then Govaerts & Cribb (2017) itemize seven species with an additional two varieties. This subgenus is confined to mainland South-east Asia extending from Thailand and Malaysia into Indochina and south-east China. It is not surprising, then that an additional species should also be found in neighboring Myanmar.

Keywords: Paphiopedilum, Myanmar, southeast Asia, Orchidaceae, Monocots

 Distribution: Endemic to Myanmar

Harold Koopowitz, Prapanth Iamwiriyakul and Srisuda Laohapatcharin. 2017. Paphiopedilum myanmaricum, A New Species of Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae). Phytotaxa. 324(1); 97–100. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.324.1.9

Paphiopedilum myanmaricum Koop., Iamwir. & Laohap., in Phytotaxa 324(1): 097-100. (2017) [6 Oct. 2017] 

รองเท้านารีแดงสิงขร หรือ รองเท้านารีศรีมรันมา หรือ รองเท้านารีศรีมยันมา หรือ รองเท้านารีศรีเมียนมา หรือ รองเท้านารีศรีพม่า 

facebook.com/739365786240792/photos/892853310892038

  

[Botany • 2017] Paphiopedilum lunatum & P. bungebelangi • Two New Species of Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) Section Barbata from Sumatra, Indonesia

Paphiopedilum lunatum  Metusala

DOI:  10.1017/S0960428617000063 

Abstract

Two new species of Paphiopedilum from Sumatra, Indonesia, are described and illustrated. These two species belong in Paphiopedilum section Barbata and are so far known only from Aceh Province in the north of Sumatra.

Paphiopedilum lunatum Metusala, sp. nov. section Barbata

Etymology. From the Latin word lunatus, meaning bent like a crescent moon, in reference to the obviously crescent-shaped staminode of this species. 

Distribution. Indonesia, Sumatra, Aceh Province, Central Aceh Regency.

Habitat and ecology. Growing under shade as a terrestrial plant with roots in thick leaf litter or sphagnum moss. Its natural habitat ranges from open, flat areas dominated by forked fern (Dicranopteris sp.), low shrubs and grasses to slightly open forest on sloping hills dominated by rattan species, at 1300–1600 m altitude. 

 

Paphiopedilum bungebelangi Metusala, sp. nov. section Barbata

Etymology. The specific name is an adjective derived from the Gayo language (the Gayo people live in the highlands of Central Aceh), ‘bunge’ meaning flower and ‘belangi’ meaning beautiful, referring to the beautiful flower of this species.

 Distribution. Indonesia, Sumatra, Aceh Province, Central Aceh Regency. 

Habitat and ecology. Growing as a terrestrial plant with roots in thick leaf litter or sphagnum moss on sloping limestone hills from 1550–1650 m altitude. Plants were found growing in deep, shady forest with relatively low light intensity.  

  D. Metusala. 2017. Two New Species of Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) Section Barbata from Sumatra, Indonesia.

 Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 74(1); 1-10. DOI:  10.1017/S0960428617000063

http://cattlaelia.forumactif.org/t22644-paphiopedilum-lunatum-metusala-paphiopedilum-bungebelangi-metusala

Peneliti BKT Kebun Raya Purwodadi Temukan Dua Spesies Baru Anggrek dari Pulau Sumatera, Indonesia

http://www.krpurwodadi.lipi.go.id/whatson/detil/?whatson=378

[Botany • 2017] Paphiopedilum notatisepalum • A New Species of Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae) from China based on Morphological and DNA Evidence

Paphiopedilum notatisepalum 

Z. J. Liu, M. Wang & S. R. Lan

  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.302.2.5 

Abstract

A new species of Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae) from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. Morphological comparisons indicate that the new species Paphiopedilum notatisepalum is highly similar to P. henryanum, from which it differs by its leaves with large yellow spots, shorter scape, larger flower, ovate, white sepals and petals that are pale purple-red with large purple spots and yellow-white margins. Molecular analyses of combined nuclear and plastid datasets (nrITS and matK) indicate that P. notatisepalum is sister to P. barbigerum, which has a green leaves and pale yellow-green sepals and petals. The morphological and molecular evidence support the hypothesis that P. notatisepalum is a new species.

Keywords: Asian orchids, orchid phylogenetics, Venus slipper, reticulate evolution, lady’s slipper orchids, Monocots

Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z.J.Liu, M.Wang & S.R.Lan. 
A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, back view. E. Flowers, side view.  

FIGURE 3. Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z.J.Liu, M.Wang & S.R.Lan.
A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Dorsal sepal, petal, and synsepal. D. Lip, side view. E. Staminode, front view. F. Column, side view. Drawn by L. J. Chen from Liu 9349 (holotype). 

Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z. J. Liu, M. Wang & S. R. Lan sp. nov.  

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Malipo, in crevices of shady cliffs or rocks of limestone. ...

Distribution and habitat:— In crevices of shady cliffs or rocks in evergreen broad-leaved forests in limestone areas in southeastern Yunnan, China. 

 Etymology:— The species name notatisepalum refers to purple-maroon-spotted sepals, from the Greek notati (spot) and sepalum (sepal). 

 Conservation status:— Using the World Conservation Union Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN, 2012), P. notatisepalum should be treated as critically endangered.

FIGURE 4. Paphiopedilum notatisepalum Z.J.Liu, M.Wang & S.R.Lan.
A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, front view. C. Flower, back view. D. Staminode, front view. E., F, Flowers, side view. 

Meina Wang, Si-Ren Lan and Zhong-Jian Liu. 2017. Paphiopedilum notatisepalum, A New Species of Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae) from China based on Morphological and DNA Evidence. Phytotaxa. 302(2); 156 – 164. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.302.2.5

ResearchGate.net/publication/315727115_Paphiopedilum_notatisepalum_a_new_species_of_slipper_orchid_from_China

[Orchidology • 2014] Paphiopedilum robinsonianum • A New Species of Paphiopedilum from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Paphiopedilum robinsonianum Cavestro

rao.free.fr | carnivorousockhom.blogspot.com

Abstract 
A new species of Paphiopedilum from Sulawesi is described. This species belongs to the subgenus Paphiopedilum Karas. & Saito and the section Barbata (Kraenzlin) V.A. Albert & Börge Pett. The plant and the flower have some morphological affinities with P. javanicum (Reinw. ex Lindl.) Pfitzer but the dorsal sepal is white with esmerald-green center, the margins of the petals are twisted and heavily ciliated (margins entire for P. javanicum), the staminode is transversely elliptic (reniform for P. javanicum).

Paphiopedilum robinsonianum Cavestro

rao.free.fr | carnivorousockhom.blogspot.com

Cavestro W. 2014. Paphiopedilum robinsonianum sp. nov.
Rhône-Alpes Orchidées. 52 : 10-15.

http://rao.free.fr/article_cavestro_paphio_robinsonianum/2pages_paphio_robinsianium.pdf

http://carnivorousockhom.blogspot.com/2014/02/paphiopedilum-robinsonianum-new-species.html

[Orchidology • 2014] Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum • A New Species of Paphiopedilum discovered in northern Laos

Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum

O. GRUSS, N.RUNGRUANG, Y. CHAISURIYAKUL et I. DIONISIO

A new and very distinct species of the genus Paphiopedilum from north-Laos 

In the last few years, a large number of plants of the genus Paphiopedilum as well as other species, came from Laos on the market in Thailand. Frequently in the past few months, a number of very small size plants of the genus Paphiopedilum appeared as Paph. canhii in the trade. Niwat RUNGRUANG, a grower from Thailand also received a number of plants from these collections and when the plants came to bloom in May 2014, he was surprised because he realized that these Paphs were not Paph. canhii. Therefore Niwat RUNGRUANG sought contact with slipper orchid specialists in Thailand and Germany and asked for an analysis and identification of the plants, based on several Iowering plants and detailed picture material (in particular by Olaf Gruß in Germany). 

While the plants with their marbled leaves appear quite similar to Paph. canhii, the blossom at first glance clearly show much broader petals an intensive red-purple coloring, as well as an entirely different staminodium. Also the underside of the leaves differs significantly in the new species. While Paph. canhii is rather red- purple speckled, this new species shows a gray green bottom with wide purple veins.

the naming is in honor of Niwat RUNGRUANG in the 2rd part of his name, but also means rung = flowering period, success, prosperity and Suriya = growing, increasingly

Olaf Gruß, Niwat Rungruang, Yongyouth Chaisuriyakul and Ibn Dionisio. Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum, a new species discovered in Northern-Laos. [Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum, eine neue Art aus Nord-Laos]. OrchideenJournal. 

http://orchideen-journal.de/permalink/GRUSS_RUNGRUANG_CHAISURIYAKUL_DIONISIO_Paphiopedilum.pdf