Paphiopedilum charlesworthii is one of the most beautiful of the species and it is little wonder that demand for it always exceeded the supply.
Paphiopedilum charlesworthii was discovered in 1893 by R. Moore a British official stationed in southern states of Burma, now Myanmar. These specimens were discovered near a lake growing on lime stone, and as Moore was a botanist in heart he made a lot of notes about their environment, especially that it could be found growing together with p.belatullum and freely creating hybrids with it.
The actual name comes from the name of the English nursery which introduced the plant into Europe after being described by Rolfe.
Paphiopedilum charlesworthii has been always named as a unique species that cannot be confused with any other taxon: in addition to the fact that its overall flower morphology is quite distinct, it is the only species that has a white, shiny, porcelain-like staminodal shield with a bright yellow umbo in the centre. It is closely related to the plant of p.insigne and p. villosum, but the floral morphology and the flower are quite distinct.
Paphiopedilum charlesworthii was discovered in 1893 by R. Moore a British official stationed in southern states of Burma, now Myanmar. These specimens were discovered near a lake growing on lime stone, and as Moore was a botanist in heart he made a lot of notes about their environment, especially that it could be found growing together with p.belatullum and freely creating hybrids with it.
The actual name comes from the name of the English nursery which introduced the plant into Europe after being described by Rolfe.
Paphiopedilum charlesworthii has been always named as a unique species that cannot be confused with any other taxon: in addition to the fact that its overall flower morphology is quite distinct, it is the only species that has a white, shiny, porcelain-like staminodal shield with a bright yellow umbo in the centre. It is closely related to the plant of p.insigne and p. villosum, but the floral morphology and the flower are quite distinct.
Paphiopedilum charlesworthii is a herbaceous plant that grows as humus epiphyte in decaying vegetative debris on limestone rock. The leaves are strap shaped, and up to 25cm long and 2.5 to 3 cm wide. What is interesting is that the upper surface of the foliage is bright green, where the reverse is marked with irregular red-brown blotch marks and patterns.
The flower spikes themselves grow to around 15cm high, however modern hybridisation changed this, the inflorenscence usually bears one flower. The flowers on p.charlesworthii can be quite big and reach up to 9 cm wide with the side petals and a characteristic dorsal petal which can be up to 7cm wide.
These orchids commonly grow in shade with their roots clinging strongly to the rocks, however some were found in more exposed locations with their roots in the crevices of bare rocks. Therefore a varied potting mix is recommended. This should include a mixture of small and medium bark together with perlite and lava rock or other stone potting medium to mimic the rock in their natural environment. When it comes to flowering it has been reported that p. charlesworthii is willing to flower all year round with a peak between August and January. In their natural habitat they bloom in Autumn.
When it comes to coloration p.charlesworthii is quite similar to p.delenatii having different colour forms. This is also dependable of where from the species is brought, as it's known that Chinese ones will have paler colours than these from Burma. Furthermore, there is a alba form which is characteristic for bright apple green pouch and side petals in a pure white dorsal petal.
Nowadays paphiopedilum charlesworthii has become a rare relic of the past, pushed aside in favour of complex dark hybrids. Of specialist mutations with a hard to trace parenthood. It is sad knowing that this species was the most important factor in developing many of the modern red hybrids and not only that but many complex and awarded hybrids. It is still very much worth having and celebrating in everyone's collection as this humble orchid can provide a show like no other paphiopedilum can.
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