Miss Paph. Makuli Magic

[paphioboy]

Maudiae-type just refers to any of the numerous mottled-leaved hybrids incorporating species from the barbata and other related sections in the lineage.

The dorsal is quite hooded, especially if it has remained like this for 5 weeks. I guess it will bloom better next time..

[Kmac]

Maudiae-type just refers to any of the numerous mottled-leaved hybrids incorporating species from the barbata and other related sections in the lineage.

Got it. Thanks so much!!!

[mauraec]

Maura--

Cute orchid!

I haven't studied paphs much, so maybe you can answer a question for me. I know that Paph. Maudiae = callosum x lawrenceanum, but the term "maudiae-type paph" has always confused the heck out of me. Does it mean a paph that has Maudiae as at least a grandparent (like yours?) Or, one that has Maudiae anywhere in its lineage? Or does it simply mean it shares mottled leaves &/or certain other "maudiae-ish" characteristics?

I'm definitely not as learned on anything about orchids, never mind paphs, as so many other members are, but I keep going to my slipper treatise by Harold Koopowitz (one of the paph greats - both a scholar and a hybridizer) whenever I have questions or am curious about one of my plants. Based on that, and a number of other books I keep on hand, as well as the articles in the AOS magazines, I sort of have a handle on the Maudiaes, so I'll try to describe it briefly (well, you asked!):

Slippers were the rage around the early 20th century, and of all the hybridizing that went on, two albino paph species - callosum and lawrenceanum (yes, you were exactly right about that) produced a batch of green and white, well-shaped, and vigorous growing offspring. Of those with the grex name Maudiae, a one was particularly fine - Paph. Maudiae 'Magnificum' AM/AOS, AM/RHS. Its progeny were easily cultivated and led to a sort of craze that eventually died down. This basic shape - a standard albino callosum/lawrenceanum mix has, since then, been called a Maudiae - not a scientific term - more like trade lingo. Since then, Paph. superbiens var. curtisii was added in and lent wider petals (side), although a smaller dorsal sepal (top), and subtle changes were made by hybridizing with other similar species. The further and further away from the actual parentage of the original Paph. Maudiae, the more the actual taxonomy won't include the actual grex name, but will still be referred to as a "Maudiae-type". Paph. sukhakuli has been added, as has Paph mastersianum, both of which impart their own characteristics, but the basic Maudiae shape has remained. The different colors generally come from the fact that there are albino, vari-colored, and vinicolored versions of most if not all these species, so Maudiae shapes also come in all different color combinations. Some of my favorite Maudiaes are really not classic Maudiaes at all, but contain aspects of a different section of paph species, called the 'Insigne Group" - this includes Paph fairrieanum (a plain green-leaved paph), which adds a pretty, whimsical ruffliness to the standard. But - just when you thought you were out of the Maudiae territory, I'll tell you that a lot of Maudiae-fairrieanum types are called "Faire-Maude" and some have mottled leaves and others plain green - I suppose it depends on the amount of genetic material contributed by each species. In short, yes, there is a real Paph. Maudiae, but over the years, the term has been loosened and used more to describe variations as "Maudiae-types". Whether the plant actually has callosum and lawrenceanum in its background has become less important, unless the actual taxonomy uses the Maudiae grex name. I may well have confused you more than cleared anything up, but that's my best understanding at this point.

[Kmac]

Thanks...both answers help explain why such a wide variety of paphs are referred to as "maudiae type".

[Dorsetman]

Maura--

Cute orchid!

I haven't studied paphs much, so maybe you can answer a question for me. I know that Paph. Maudiae = callosum x lawrenceanum, but the term "maudiae-type paph" has always confused the heck out of me. Does it mean a paph that has Maudiae as at least a grandparent (like yours?) Or, one that has Maudiae anywhere in its lineage? Or does it simply mean it shares mottled leaves &/or certain other "maudiae-ish" characteristics?

Perhaps I can help, Kathi ? The term is used for all the paph hybrids which look like this
Dr Phil Cribb divides the genus into three sub-genera, and one of these into 5 sections. It works well, because everything in one section is generally similar to all the others in that sub-genera and more different from all the others. The one concerned here is Sect..barbata which contains P.lawrenceanum, P.callosum and barbatum plus some 20 or more others. All are medium to large flowers, with distinctively striped dorsal petals , horizontal or slightly drooping laterals which are always warted to some extent, and a distinctive inturned rim to the pouch, plus a generally tri-dentate (toothed) staminode.
P. Maudiae ( lawrenceae x callosum) especially bred from the albino parents, in the form “Magnificum” FCC/RHS is one of the most famous, and for beauty and grandeur in a well grown specimen is only exceeded by the later breeding along the same lines ( later is relative – these are all old hybrids ! ) such as Claire de Lune ( also FCC in the form Edgar van Belle ) or The Queen AM/RHS.
The line also gave rise to the so-called “vini” paphs – assuming you like your wine to be red, mostly bred from two specific clones of callosum as one parent, and often introduced into late Maudiae type hybrids to retain the large and shapely flowers and inject the red colour.
Hope this helps !

[catttan]

Very cute paph.

[Kmac]

– assuming you like your wine to be red...

Of course I do!!! The expanded info on sect. barbata is very helpful in understanding...thanks!!!