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Cypripedioideae

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Scientific name
  
Cypripedioideae

Rank
  
Subfamily

Order
  
Asparagales

Higher classification
  
Orchids

Cypripedioideae Cypripedioideae Slipper Orchids

Lower classifications
  
Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Paphiopedilum rothschildianum, Paphiopedilum sanderianum, Paphiopedilum micranthum

Lady slipper orchid cypripedioideae moyabamba peru amazonian orchids and plants


Lady's slipper orchids (also known as lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids) are orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioideae, which comprises the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium. They are characterised by the slipper-shaped pouches (modified labellums) of the flowers – the pouch traps insects so they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia, thus fertilizing the flower.

Contents

Cypripedioideae Orchidaceae Cypripedioideae or Lady Slipper Orchid Images by T

Taxonomy

Cypripedioideae Media gallery Cypripedioideae

Unlike most other orchids, slipper orchids have two fertile anthers — they are "diandrous". For that reason, experts have debated whether this clade should be classified within the orchid family (Orchidaceae), or whether they should compose a separate family altogether called Cypripediaceae. Around the year 2000, molecular phylogenetics and DNA sampling have come to play an increasingly important role in classification. This has led to the conclusion that recognition of a distinct Cypripediaceae family would be inappropriate.

The subfamily Cypripedioideae is monophyletic and consists of five genera:

Cypripedioideae Cypripedioideae by buffyodo on DeviantArt
  • Cypripedium, found across much of North America, as well as in parts of Europe (one species) and Asia. The state flower of Minnesota is the showy lady's slipper (Cypripedium reginae); the pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) is the official flower of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.
    • Cypripedioideae Flickriver Most interesting photos tagged with cypripedioideae
  • Paphiopedilum, found in the tropical forests of southeast Asia reaching as far north as southern China. Paphiopedilum is quite easy to cultivate and therefore is popular among orchid enthusiasts. In fact, over-collection of this genus has been so extensive that many species are now sub-viable in their natural habitats.
    • Cypripedioideae httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu
  • Phragmipedium, found across northern South and Central America, is also easy to cultivate as it requires lower temperatures than Paphiopedilum, eliminating the need for a greenhouse in many areas.
    • Cypripedioideae Cypripedioideae American Public Gardens Association
  • Mexipedium, a monotypic genus, consisting of a single species that was found in a single locality in Oaxaca, Mexico.
  • Selenipedium, found in Central and South America.

    • Symbolism

    The province of Prince Edward Island, Canada adopted the lady's slipper as its floral emblem in 1947.

    Cypripedioideae Cypripedioideae American Public Gardens Association

    References

    Cypripedioideae Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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