Photo by Joseph Dougherty.

at right: Mexipedium xerophyticum

Mexipedium V.A. Albert & M.W. Chase 1992

Pronounced mex-ih-PEE-dee-um

Published in: Lindleyana 7(3): 173. 1992.
{Lindleyana ; BPH BPH/S 492.27}

Type specimen: Mexipedium xerophyticum (Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hágsater) V.A. Albert & M.W. Chase - Lindleyana 7(3): 173. 1992.

A monotypical Mexican genus, with the type species initially described in 1990 as a member of Phragmipedium and later (1992) transfered to its own genus on the basis of ovary morphology and other characteristics.

Mexipedium xerophyticum (Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hágsater) V.A. Albert & M.W. Chase 1992

Synonyms:

Basionym: Phragmipedium xerophyticum Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hágsater 1990

Common name(s):
Derivation/Pronunciation: mex-ih-PEE-dee-umzero-fit-ih-cum
Genus name is derived from "Mexico," the country of origin, and from the Latin pedium, meaning "foot," in reference to the slipper-shaped lip. The species name, meaning "lover of dryness," refers to this species' higher tolerance for low moisture situations.

Photo by Joseph Dougherty.

Plant: Lithophytic; normally pendant plants and flowers; ovoid pseudobulbs, 4-6 cm in length, 2-3 cm wide, commonly covered by a persistent papery sheath (note: do not remove this sheath); leaves: silvery-green, 2-4 per pseudobulb, elliptical, acute or closely obtuse, 18-25 cm in length, 2-4 cm wide.
Flowers: See illustrations. Inflorescence: 5-18 cm in length, 1-2 smallish (1.5-5.0 cm) snow-white flowers with a pinkish staminode and incurving scythe-shaped petals.
Fragrant: No.
Bloomtimes: Spring to early summer.
Habitat: Lithophytic, often growing in accumulated leaf debris.
Distribution: Restricted to one isolated locale in Oaxaca, Mexico, where it grows on exposed steep cliffs with a north and east exposure, shielding it from full mid day sun. The
Culture: Mexipedium xerophyticum can be potted in mixtures of fine bark, charcoal, and perlite or rock wool. This species prefers slightly more alkaline (up to 7.5pH) water and a bit drier conditions than most other neotropical slipper orchids. Provide moderate light (grow with strap-leaf Paphs) and plenty of air movement; give ample water, but let dry between waterings; intermediate to warm temperatures. Does best with a small amount of lime or oyster shell added to the mix. See AnTec's Laboratory's excellent online description: http://www.ladyslipper.com/mexipedium.htm.

References:

• Albert, V. A. and M. W. Chase. 1992. Mexipedium: A New Genus of Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae: Orchidaceae). Lindleyana 7 (3): 172-176.
• Baker, M. L. and C. O. 1991. Orchid Species Culture: Pescatoria, Phaius, Phalaenopsis, Pholidota, Phragmipedium, Pleione. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
• Koopowitz, H. 1995 The Diminutive Phragmipedium xerophyticum. Orchid Digest 60 (3): 123-128.
• LeDoux, M. 1996 Phragmipedium xerophyticum and its Culture. Orchid Digest 59 (3): 108-110.
• Soto, M. A., G. A. Salazar and E. Hagsater. 1990. Phragmipedium xerophyticum, una nueva especie del sureste de Mexico. Orquidea, 12: 1-10.