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Paphiopedilum Series Section Ceratopetalum Hallier |
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Asher (5) notes the single plant included in this section has recurred petals in the manner of the horns of a water buffalo, with light pale green strap shaped foliage. The Sectional name 'Ceratopetalum' comes from the Greek 'Keras', meaning 'horn' which describes the petals of the single species of this section, 'held like the horns of a buffalo'.(91) Cribb 105 places these plants in his Subgenus Paphiopedilum Section Paphiopedilum
This section comprises the single species
Bechtel Cribb and Launert state that the correct spelling of the name is ‘fairrieanum' and not ‘fairieanum' as commonly seen in literature. (8) 105 The plant was named after a Mr R, Fairrie of Liverpool. When Lindley first described it he misspelled the name of Mr Fairrie, although some still stick to the erroneous spelling. Also see Bennett (97) who disagrees with this view.
This species was first brought to growers attention in 1857 when Mr. Rudd of Somerset, UK sent flowers to the botanist Sir William Hooker at Kew Gardens, who also received it from the nursery of Mr Parker. In October of that year a plant in flower was exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society by Mr Fairrie of Liverpool, and the species was named in his honour by the botanist Dr Lindley. The origin of these plants was uncertain, but were all thought to have been obtained at auction from a collection of orchids which had been made in Assam India. It remained a rare plant, and Sir William Hooker stated its 'blooms are certainly amongst the most exquisitely coloured and pencilled of any of this fine genus'. (4) Its origins remained unknown until it was re-discovered by G. C. Searight in West Bhutan over 40 years later. (8) Swinson, in his biography of Frederick Sander devotes a chapter to the interesting story of the early history of this species. 108 This species is native of South Bhutan and Sikkim India. It grows on limestone rocks in oak forests on west facing cliffs at some 1500 to 1800 metres altitude. It also grows on dry sheltered grassy slopes. July to September flowering, it needs a cool dry rest for six weeks around June (southern Hemisphere equivalent months). It is one of the easiest species to flower. It makes numerous growths each year soon becoming a specimen plant. It needs moss at its roots and plenty of water during its growing season. Like P. insigne its natural habitat is influenced by the wet summer monsoon, and dry winter monsoon. Its habitat is never completely dry although rainfall is seasonal, and humidity always remains high. (3) Pradhan (30) describes the early history of this species, and that article records and illustrates a number of distinctive forms, together with brief notes on its habitat. Pradhan (29) also describes P. X Pradhanii, the natural hybrid with P. venustum. 33 primaries have been registered to 1976 with 17 awarded, many recently'. (9) General Easily grown under cool to intermediate conditions, this distinctive and attractive species makes an ideal addition to any collection.
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Remember, growing orchids is all about enjoying your plants and sharing your growing success with friends and family. Good luck and good growing.
SITE LINKS CAPITAL CITY ORCHID SOCIETY OTHER ORCHID RELATED SITES REFERENCE PAGES ARTICLES ON ORCHID RELATED SUBJECTS This section will be added to as suitable material becomes available
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