Paphiopedilum bellatulum [Rchb.f]Stein 1895 SUBGENUS Brachypetalum Haller 1897 Photo courtesy of Oak Hill Gardens
to 
and 
Common Name The Enchanting Paphiopedilum
Flower Size to 2 1/2" [6 cm]
This is a small sized, warm to hot growing species occuring in Assam India, Myanamar, Thailand and Central and Yunnan China ,with mottled dark and pale green leaves that are purple spotted below, that grows terrestrially in shady, limestone crevices with the roots in leaf mold and moss at an altitudes of 300 to 1600 meters or on moist, mossy covered limestone rocks in shady spots. It flowers in the spring and summer from a short, pubescent, dark purple inflorescence with a floral bract that is half as long as the ovary that arises from the top center of the leaves and just clears or touches the leaves and it requires even water and fertilizer year round.
Synonyms Cordula bellatula Rolfe 1912; *Cypripedium bellatulum Rchb.f 1888; Paphiopedilum bellatulum f. album (O'Brien) Braem 1998; Paphiopedilum bellatulum var. album O'Brien 1896
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;
The Orchids of Burma Grant 1895/95 as Cypripedium bellatulum; AOS Bulletin Vol 28 No 2 1959 photo; The Orchids of Thailand Seidenfadden & Smitnand 1959; AOS Bulletin Vol 32 No 3 1963 photo as Cypripedium bellatulum; AOS Bulletin Vol 39 No 2 1970 photo; Orchid Digest Vol 42 No 1 1978 photo; Orchid Digest Vol 44 No 4 1980 photo; Orchid Digest Vol 44 No 5 1980 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 51 No 10 1982 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 54 No 6 1985 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 56 No 3 1987 photo; Orchid Digest Vol 56 No 1 1992 photo; Wild Orchids of China Tsi, Chen Mori 1997; AOS Bulletin Vol 68 No 4 1999 photo; Native Orchids of China in Colour Singchi, Zhanhuo and Yibo 1999 photo fide; Oasis Vol 1 No 3 2000 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 71 No 1 2002 photo; Wild Orchids in Myanamar Vol 1 Tanaka 2003; Australian Orchid Review Vol 71 No 2 2006 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 73 No 6 2004 photo; Wild Orchids in Myanamar Vol 3 Tanaka 2007; AOS Bulletin Vol 77 No 8 2008 photo
Paphiopedilum bellatulum f. album (O'Brien) Braem in G.J.Braem, C.O.Baker & M.L.Baker 1998
A White Color Variety of the previous species.
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; AOS Bulletin Vol 28 No 2 1959 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 32 No 3 1963 photo as Cypripedium bellatulum var album; Orchid Digest Vol 42 No 1 1978 photo; Orchid Digest Vol 44 No 4 1980 photo; Orchid Digest Vol 44 No 5 1980 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 68 No 2 1999 photo; Australian Orchid Review Vol 65 No 6 2000 photo; Wild Orchids in Myanamar Vol 2 Tanaka 2004;
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
