This one just opened last week. Love the fine velvety hairs on the pouch. The colour is quite rich for a paph. And the leaves are mottled to boot. Highly recommended.
Paphiopedilum purpuratum
Very beautiful, I will keep an eye out for it. Nice picture too!!!
At first I was amazed how much the dorsal sepal curves backwards. After some image -googling I realized it must be one of the characteristics of Paph purpuratum.
The dorsal sepal curls back enough that it touches itself on the back...that is certainly the most significant characteristic of this species. The color is more purple than the other paph species as well.
Very nice! Is purpuratum a species or is this paph a cultivated orchid?
purpuratum, written lower case = species. (You probably meant 'Cultivar' or species?)
Michelle,
I included a link here about Orchid names ( first rays...) here. It explains it well.
Hope that helps,
Ursula
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/478505/
That's what I meant. I only learned recently that the species is lower cased....
Thanks Ursula! I'm bookmarking that link, it'll no doubt come in handy as I collect more orchids.