Orchids Spark Debate

By Titik Kartitiani | Photographs by Jerry Aurum

Take a look at the beauty of a ladyslipper orchid arrangement, two crowns stretching to the left and to the right of the dorsal sepal that stands upright and a strange flower lip, like the ladyslipper of Goddess Venus. The exotic flower is supported by a hairy stalk that stands upright at the height of about three fourth of the height of the plant. Because of the unusual flower lip, the plant with a very short stalk is included in the family of Paphiopedilum that is of two generic names derived from two words: Paphos and pedilon.

The beauty is enough to stimulate the exploration and adventure instincts of orchid collectors and lovers. They entered the thick tropical forest, looking for various types of the ladyslipper orchid that grow in tree branches, cliffs and on the land, along with locals who served as their guides and who helped them pick the flower. In the end, the hunting tale gave birth to an atmosphere of competition and intrigues.

This article have published in National Geographic Indonesia, Sepetember 2007