Two beautiful orchids are found in Aceh. Both live in the extreme wilderness in the mountains of altitude between 1,300 - 1,600 meters above sea level.
The orchid has a unique character. When the human lips shaped like a heart, then this flower-shaped lips pouch.
The color of his lips was interesting. One type found, Paphiopedilum bungebelangi, has a maroon-colored lips.
Meanwhile, the sterile stamen part and form the sheet or staminodium it, shaped ellipse to resemble a circle with a notch deep enough at the end.
Because of that beauty, then Destario Metusala as researchers of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) who found it, named it bungabelangi. In Gayo, bungabelangi means beautiful flowers.
Another type found is Paphiopedilum lunatum. This type of orchid has a greenish brown floral lips.
The distinctiveness of the flower is a crescent-shaped staminodium. Because of its peculiarities, the species gets the name lunatus, meaning the crescent moon.
The orchid taxonomist Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) found, Destario Metusala, said that the orchid belongs to the genus Paphiopedilum, has high conservation value.
This new orchid is included in the regulation of Appendix I Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), may not be traded.
Therefore, Destario advised, "It is strongly recommended that hobbyists and orchid collectors be wise before intending to possess it."
Basically, the orchid is not suitable to be cultivated. Both are difficult to adapt in the lowlands of human life.
"Secondly, because the genus Paphiopedilum in general has a slow rate of growth and the population in nature is relatively limited," said Destario to Kompas.com, Wednesday (04/12/2017).
To find this orchid, Destario works with Rita Subowo, Frankie Handoyo, Ramadhani Prasetya, Irawati, and Andi Widjaja of the Indonesian Orchid Society (LIPI).
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