Paphiopedilum micranthum, described in 1951, is commonly known as Silver Slipper Orchid or Hard-leaved Pocket Orchid. It blooms during late winter to early summer with one flower per inflorescence. Flowers are fragrant

Distribution

Paphiopedilum micranthum is found from northern Vietnam

Vietnam

Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...

 to western and northern Guangxi

Guangxi

Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...

, southeastern Yunnan

Yunnan

Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...

 and western Guizhou

Guizhou

' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...

 (China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

), at elevations of 360 to 1600 meters. The plant is found on cliffs and in crevices which contains 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 30F to 88F and humidity of 60 to 80%. The plant is easy to bloom and require a well drain mix such as a mix of gravel, perlite, and bark. Keep plant cool during the winter

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