Lady Slippers is a term used to describe a variety of orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioidea, which includes the generaPaphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Selenipedium, Cypripedium and the monotypic Mexipedium, distinguished by their slipper-shaped pouches (modified labellums), which function by trapping insects so that they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia.
This subfamily has been considered by some (Rasmussen, 185) to be a family Cypripediaceae, separate from the Orchidaceae.
The subfamily Cypripedioideae is a monophyletic clade and consists of five genera. Their common features are : two fertile diandrous (= with two perfect stamens) anthers, a shield-shaped staminode and a saccate (sac-shaped) lip.
Paphiopedilums are found in the tropical forests of southeast Asia reaching as far north as southern China. Paphiopedilum is quite easy to cultivate and therefore is popular among orchid enthusiasts. In fact, overcollecting of this genus has caused some problems in its orignial habitat.
Phragmipedium, found across northern South and Central America, is also easy to cultivate as it requires lower temperatures than Paphiopedilum, eliminating the need for a greenhouse in many areas.
Therefore a new classification of Orchidaceae is desirable, and at least a new subfamilial classification is justified on the basis of the previously published evidence, both molecular and morphological.
The existence of five major lineages that may be recognised as subfamilies, Apostasioideae, Cypripedioideae, Epidendroideae, Orchidoideae and Vanilloideae, was noted by Chase et al.
Cox,A.V. Pridgeon,A.M. Albert, V.A. and chase, M.W. Phylogenetics of the slippter orchids (Cypripedioideae: Orchidaceae): nuclear rDNA ITS sequences.
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