Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

First discovered in 1885 in the steaming jungles of Borneo, Paphiopedilum sanderianum is considered one of the most startlingly spectacular orchids ever found. Its pendulous petals can be over a metre long and are thought to attract pollinators. Despite its extreme desirability the plant was not seen again until 1978 - almost a century later - by which time its very existence was in question.

The shy beauties were rediscovered in Sarawak, Borneo, by Ivan Nielson. They are now protected within the boundaries of a National Park. For a long time their location was a closely guarded secret!
Cite: KEW Botanical Garden

We currently have 1 herbarium specimens for Paphiopedilum sanderianum in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 040619 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2004