Paphs. vs. Phrags.

[Heather]

So what is exactly the biological difference. I know that Paphs are Asian and Phrags from S. America, but is there any other real biological difference? Any theories out there on how such similar plants evolved in such far of places from one another?

Or are they some Pangea remnant?

[Paphraguy]

I think the Pangea theory is one of the theories. It also applies to Cyps, Mexipediums and Selenipediums as well.

[Jmoney]

phrags like to grow roots. paphs don't. sorry, that's the biggest difference I see...

[Heather]

Interesting. They do seem awfully similar. Especially the multiflorals.

[Paphraguy]

Also, most Paphs roots are hairy and Phrag roots are smooth.

[Tanya]

How about there overall appearance? Is there a way to tell them apart? I always presumed that phal's flowers have thin rimmed pouch and the phrags have thick rim. I just want to know if my presumption is correct. Never mind thier variety names, there are so many of them and they make me more confuse than ever lol.

[Jmoney]

most phrags have "inrolled" side lobes to their pouches, making them possibly look thicker. In general, paph flowers tend to be waxier, while many phrags (especially schlimii & besseae hybrids) have a velvety texture. the long-petalled phrags tend to be waxier, but you can always tell they are phrags because that section has very large synsepals, usually even wider than the dorsal. the synsepal on most paphs is much smaller than the dorsal.

warts and hairs are also more commonly found in paphs, although some phrags may also have them to a lesser degree.

most phrags are also successive flowering. there is one group of paphs that flowers successively, but most are unifloral, with another subset being simultaneously multifloral.

[Tanya]

Thanks Jason, that was very informative, for me at least who knows almost nothing about these bizarre looking orchids. Phargs are successive bloomers? Thats what I like, I'll keep that in mind.

[Jmoney]

Thanks Jason, that was very informative, for me at least who knows almost nothing about these bizarre looking orchids. Phargs are successive bloomers? Thats what I like, I'll keep that in mind.

most phrags are successive. there is a small group of simultaneous-blooming long-petalled species, i.e. caudatum, wallisii, warscewiczianum, lindenii. those are most impressive as well--it's hard to beat 2-4 large flowers at the same time with petals ranging from 17-30" in length!

[OrchidTraci]

most phrags are successive. there is a small group of simultaneous-blooming long-petalled species, i.e. caudatum, wallisii, warscewiczianum, lindenii. those are most impressive as well--it's hard to beat 2-4 large flowers at the same time with petals ranging from 17-30" in length!

I did not know that they were successive-- until I looked at my almost bloomed sedenii and say another bud. I'm very happy about this!