Paphiopedilum laycockii

The orchids bearing this generic name used to be included in the genus Phalaenopsis . While their flowers corresponded with this classification ,their succulent leaves of a completely different morpology did not - they are cylindrical and resemble the Vanda or , more recently , Papilionanthe orchids rather than Phalaenopsis. The fact that they were unrelated to the latter genus was later proved by the futile attempts to hybridize the two genera ( while ,a large number of lively hybrids have been created with the genus Vanda). Although P. laycockii is a beautiful plant ,it is also highly unvigorous and difficult to cultivate . It needs an epiphytic support and more light than any Phalaenopsis . It blooms irregularly and comes from Borneo.