Paphiopedilum virens   PFITZER

Section: Barbata

Synonym: Paph. javanicum var. virens

 

 

Paph. virens is found on Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah (Borneo) at altitudes of 1300 - 2000 m.

This species is considered by some taxonomists only as a variety of Paph. javanicum defined.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999 Paph. virens could still be observed well in the headquarters of Mt. Kinabalupark (Sabah, Borneo) on the laid out circular paths at the natural site (scanned slides):

   

 

 

 

In the early 1990s, a golf course was created in the Mt. Kinabalupark Conservation Area. A large site of the Paph. virally destroyed. Some plants were collected and taken to a garden plant nursery.

Large signs pointed out the rarity and nature protection for these plants; you could still buy plants for a lot of money.

Paph. virens in the nursery:

 

 

 

Finally, a comparison (see also the blog under "the Paph. javanicum complex") of similar species:

 

 

 

 

Pictures from the natural site can be seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/frogdr/albums/72157708794296731