Paphiopedilum ooii
Paphiopedilum ooii is a species of slipper orchid native to Mount Kinabalu on Borneo. It is named after Michael Ooi, a slipper orchid enthusiast from Malaysia. The plant blooms in the spring to early summer with a spike that can reach up to 2 meters and produce up to 17 flowers.
| Paphiopedilum ooii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cypripedioideae |
| Genus: | Paphiopedilum |
| Species: | P. ooii |
| Binomial name | |
| Paphiopedilum ooii Koop. (1999) | |
Distribution and habitat
Paphiopedilum ooii is found in a single location on Mount Kinabalu on the island of Borneo, in Sabah state of Malaysia. It is often a lithophyte growing on cliff faces, or on rocky serpentine slopes among moss and leaf litter, from 600 to 1,100 metres elevation.[1] The area is subjected to heavy rain from fall to early spring. The area is rarely dry and usually very foggy.
Conservation
The known population is very small, estimated at 40 individuals. It is threatened with habitat loss from human activities and from commercial collecting. Its population is declining, and its conservation status is assessed as Critically Endangered.[1]
Culture
Keep in moderate shade to bright light with intermediate to warm temperature from 60F to 86F. Use an open mix and keep humidity high from about 70 to 85%. Water heavily during the fall to spring.
References
- Rankou, H. 2015. Paphiopedilum ooii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T43321643A43327929. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T43321643A43327929.en. Accessed 5 April 2023.