Rare Exotic Orchids

Photo by WK Fletcher

Doing some research on rare orchids, I came across a few news articles regarding the discovery of a rare orchid in 1987.

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum, also known as The Gold of Kinabalu Orchid or the Rotchschild's Orchid is believed to grow in the wild in only one location.

If you want to see this beautiful slipper orchid growing in the wild, you will have to visit the Kinabalu National Park in Malaysia. That is quite a journey from the east coast of the United States. Following is some information from Wikipedia about the Malaysian Park.

"Kinabalu Park or Taman Kinabalu in Malay, established as one of the first national parks of Malaysia in 1964, is Malaysia's first World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO in December 2000 for its "outstanding universal values" and the role as one of the most important biological sites in the world with more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including 326 bird and around 100 mammal species." -WikiPedia

When it was discovered in 1987, it was apparently smuggled out of its natural growing location making it almost extinct. Since then, it has been reintroduced by cultivated seedlings.

My interest was caught when I saw this photograph on the BBC Nature website as it looks very similar to a photograph I had taken while in Sarasota, Florida enjoying the great plants, orchids and bromeliads at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. I think I will soon return to Sarasota and take another tour of the gardens to confirm my suspicion that it is the same orchid.

Sure I could just call them and ask but that would not be as enjoyable as once again visiting the botanic gardens in beautiful Sarasota. My favorite places to go when travelling are always natural areas and botanic gardens. How about you?

I have never had the opportunity to own this rare orchid. Maybe one day I will. I do have everyday, hands on experience caring for interior tropical plants. Hundreds of them, in fact. If you need some assistance with your own indoor plants visit www.PlantAndFlowerInfo.com

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