The largest Cypripedium population in Mesoamerica

Mexican Cypripedium belong to the irapeana section. Currently, three species are generally accepted: Cyp. irapeanum, Cyp. molle and Cyp. dickinsonianum. All species are threatened.

The unknown Cypripedium

The Cypripedium population occurs in between the distributions of Cyp. molle and Cyp. irapeanum. The remarkable floral morphological diversity makes labelling them challenging. It is a real possibility that this population holds new undiscribed taxa but this must be carefully studied with molecular data.

Cypriedium habitat

Morphological diversity

Yellow slipper orchid
Yellow orchid
new orchid species
large slipper orchid
Beautiful Mexican orchid
Mesoamerican Cypripedium
Yellow slipper orchid
pale orchid
Cypripedium aureum
Cypripedium
Orchids in situ
Cypripedium

Plants from the population differ in both flower and plant anatomy. multiple stemmed plants and unique stemmed plants can be seen growing at the site. Generally, multi-stemmed Cypripedium grow within grass clumps whilst uni-stemmed plants grow at the base of oaks. Plants can be seen with up to 6 flowers concentrated at the top of a stem or distributed throughout the stem.

Regardless of weather we are dealing with a new species, natural hybrid or already described taxa. The conservation of the site is of utmost importance. Agriculture and logging already take place in the location and it is very accessible by foot. The land must be purchased, properly protected, and studied.

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