Paphiopedilum

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Paphiopedilum-gratrixianum-var-christensonianum-2020-07-15Confirmed as Paphiopedilum gratrixianum var. christensonianum (July 2020); the photo and description of P. gratrixianum var. christensonianum are in the AOS Orchids magazine, November 2013; flowers held well above the leaves; narrower leaves and almost erect foliage are key features of var. christensonianum; the narrower dorsal sepal has stronger reflexed lateral margins and is heavily spotted with dark brown to purple blotches; this rather diminutive plant is a very good match to the description of P. gratrixianum var. christensonianum in every key feature described in the article.

Posted on July 15, 2020

Finding

Paphiopedilum gratrixianum var. christensonianum is now synonymous with Paphiopedilum christensonianum (SITF). 

Overall Length Of Growth Cane: 19 cm leaf span

Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 6

Leaf Length: up to 10 cm

Leaf Width: 1.3 cm

Leaf Margin: entire

Leaf Shape: lanceolate

Pseudobulb Distance: none

Pseudobulb Root Tip: non-visible

Inflorescence Overall Length: 9 cm

Inflorescence Arrangement: single flowered

Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 9 cm

Inflorescence Dist Bet Flowers: none

Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 3 cm

Floral Bracts Length: 3.2 cm

Floral Bracts Width: 0.5 cm

Ovary Length: 3 cm

Ovary Width: 0.6 cm

Ovary Shape: cylinder

Ovary Color: green

Ovary Texture: mate

Flower Natural Spread Length: 7.2 cm

Flower Natural Spread Width: 6.0 cm

Dorsal Sepal Length: 3.8 cm

Dorsal Sepal Width: 5.2 cm (flattened)

Lateral Sepals Length: 3.0 cm

Lateral Sepals Width: 1.7 cm

Petals Length: 4.2 cm

Petals Width: 1.7 cm

Judging Center: MidAtlantic

Award Number: 20204456

Award Date: February 08, 2020

Awarded As: Paphiopedilum gratrixianum var. christensonianum

One petite flower on one 9 cm hirsute inflorescence; strongly recurved dorsal sepal white, pale green proximally; overlaid red violet stripes and spots centrally; synsepal light green, red violet hirsute anterior side; highly recurved petals, light green, heavily overlaid cordovan venation; pouch light yellow green; slight overlay light cordovan superior aspect; staminode light yellow; substance firm, texture waxy; native to NE Cambodia and S. Vietnam.
Additional information:
Plant is 19 cm wide by 10 cm tall; 3 growths (one flowering and 2 new growths); narrow leaves are finely spotted at the leaf base.
Vendor is Paph Paradise (CA) – David Sorokowsky, sold as Paph. christensonianum.
Accepted name by WCSP (Kew) is Pap. gratrixianum var. christensonianum, Perner & Koopowitz, Orchids (West Palm Beach) 82: 681 (2013).

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