How to identify Venus' slippers (Paphiopedilum)

How to identify Venus' slippers (Paphiopedilum)

Venus' slippers, also known as Slipper orchids

Characterized by its unique floral structure, venus' slippers presents a remarkable blend of beauty and complexity, featuring a prominent lower pouch that resembles a slipper. Blossoms emerge in a variety of hues, with intricate patterns that captivate observers. The petals and sepals frame the pouch, enhancing the flower's overall symmetry. Typically found growing from soil, venus' slippers can also adopt a lifestyle on trees or rocks. Flower sizes vary, contributing to the genus's rich display within its habitat.

Lifespan: Perennial

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Venus' slippers

Prominent slipper-like pouch at the bottom of flowers.

Flower stalks ranging from 3 inches (7.6 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm) in height.

Petals vary from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 12 inches (30.5 cm) with diverse shapes.

Leaves can be short ovate or elongated, measuring 3 to 10 inches (7.5 to 25 cm).

Leaf texture ranges from leathery to smooth, with mottled green or brown patterns.

Detailed Traits of Venus' slippers

Leaf Features

The leaves of venus' slippers are either short and ovate to obovate or elongated and linear. They measure between 3 to 10 inches (7.5 to 25 cm) in length. The texture can be leathery or smooth, and they can be either solid green or mottled with varying shades of green or brown. Vein patterns are usually parallel. These characteristics make the leaves a useful feature for identifying this plant.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Venus' slippers's flowers are notable for their unique pouch at the bottom, resembling a slipper. They display singular blooms on stalks ranging from 3 inches (7.6 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm) in height, either upright or arching. The lateral sepals are sometimes fused, while petals vary from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 12 inches (30.5 cm), in shapes from round to thin and wavy. Colors and hues can widely differ among species. Each flower can last between 1 to 2 months.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

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