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The rainforests below mount Kinabalu in Borneo are home to Paphiopedilum Rothschildianu or Rothschild’s Slipper, the world’s most valuable orchid. It was named after the person who discovered it and often referred to as The Gold of Kinabalu. The petals are striped and spotted in appearance and the plants typically have six large flowers apiece.
The Orchid is prized amongst botanists with a single stem reaching something in the region of $5,000. Rothschild’s slipper fetches a high price for several reasons, firstly the orchid is very rare, it takes as long as fifteen years to bloom and the species is considered endangered.
The plant grows in aqueous, humid conditions and enjoys bright light. It is insect pollenated as flies mistake the flower’s spotted markings for aphids. They are attracted to the flower intending to feed and reproduce, then they take the orchid pollen with them as they fly away.
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