Paphiopedilum spicerianum (Rchb.) Pfitzer was firstly found to occur in Puer, southern Yunnan, China in 2013. The population grows under a sparse mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest on a limestone cliff along a small stream at an altitude of 920 m. The population is very small, consisting of only about ten individuals. This slipper orchid is considered to be critically endangered and should be under protection as soon as possible. In order to recover Paphiopedilum spicerianum, Prof. GAO Jiangyun’s group of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) made effort to reintroduce the orchid to natural habitat.

     Two batches of healthy seedlings have been reintroduced to the wild in July. 30 healthy seedlings have been reintroduced to its natural habitat in Puer. Another 30 healthy seedlings were reintroduced to the wild at an altitude higher than 920 m, under the idea of assisted colonization (also known as managed relocation or assisted migration, is one way of facilitating range shifts for species that are restricted in their ability to move in response to climate or other environmental changes).

Flower of Paphiopedilum spicerianum (Rchb.) Pfitzer

Healthy seedlings

Reintroducing Paphiopedilum spicerianum (Rchb.) Pfitzer  to the wild