Paphiopedilum biswasiana

The representatives of the genus Papilionanthe are still known under the name Vanda;however ,they have been excluded from this genus on the grounds of the big differences in the morphology of their bodies and flowers . Comparison with the genus Vanda is really not precise- the plants nave thin spikes reaching lengths of 6.5 ft /2 cm , only sparsely covered with thickened ,4-6 in/10 -15 -cm - long cylindrical leaves .P. biswasiana has 3-5 pink flowers growing on a shortish , horizontally -proturding spike ; the flowers are ,in contrast to the next species , rather small (2 in/5 cm across) . The dominant feature of each flower is a long ,downward pointing spur that is markedly thickened at the base and placed under the canopy of pinkish tepals . Cultivation is not different from the rules that apply for the thermophilic orchids of the genus Vanda. Flowers appear on this species in February . The photograph was taken in Thailand.