''Paphiopedilum micranthum'', described in 1951, is commonly known as the silver slipper orchid or hard-leaved pocket orchid. It blooms during late winter to early summer with one flower per inflorescence. As opposed to its close sibling ''Paph. malipoense'', the flowers of ''Paph. micranthum'' have no fragrance.
Distribution
''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' is found from northern
Vietnam
Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...
to western and northern
Guangxi
Guangxi,; officially the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is an Autonomous regions of China, autonomous region of the China, People's Republic of China, located in South China and bordering Vietnam (Hà Giang Province, Hà Giang, Cao Bằn ...
, southeastern
Yunnan
Yunnan; is an inland Provinces of China, province in Southwestern China. The province spans approximately and has a population of 47.2 million (as of 2020). The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders the Chinese provinces ...
and western
Guizhou
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(
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
), at elevations of 460 to 1600 meters.
The plant is found on cliffs and in crevices which contain leaf litter, limestone, and clay.
The area is subjected to fog in the winter and heavy rain from late spring to summer.
Culture
Keep plant in moderately shaded area with intermediate temperatures around 30 °F to 88 °F and humidity of 60 to 80%. The plant is not easy to bloom and requires a well-drained mix such as a mixture of gravel, perlite and bark.
Keep plant cool during the winter.
The plant needs a high pH sins it grows in a lime rock area in nature.
Varieties
* ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' var. ''alboflavum''
* ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' var. ''eburneum'': yellow sepals, yellow petals with red veins, white lip
* ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' var. ''glanzeanum'': white petals and sepals with shades of yellow, white lip.
* ''Paphiopedilum micranthum'' var. ''guanxii'': pink sepals, pink petals with red veins, white lip
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1942763
micranthum
Orchids of China
Orchids of Vietnam
Flora of Guangxi
Orchids of Yunnan
Orchids of Guizhou