Saturday, October 02, 2010

Sabah adopts rare and valuable Slipper Orchid as official orchid

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has adopted the rare and valuable Slipper Orchid as its official orchid.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman named the orchid when launching the five-day Borneo Orchid Show at the Suria Sabah mall here yesterday.

“I hope we will take this opportunity to learn more about this particular species of orchid, and strive to keep its habitat intact,” he said.

Commonly known as the Sumazau Orchid, the Slipper Orchid (Paphiodilum rothschildianum) has petals that resemble the hand gestures made in a Kadazandusun traditional dance.

Musa said it was appropriate for the Slipper Orchid to be named Sabah’s official orchid as it was picked as the most popular species in the Borneo Orchid Show in 2007.

He said more research was needed on the seemingly endless varieties of Sabah orchids, noting that the state was home to at least half the orchids found in Borneo.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sabah adopts rare and valuable Slipper Orchid as official orchid
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