Selenipedium

Selenipedium is a genus of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae) (Subfamily Cypripedioideae). The genus has been given its own tribe, Selenipedieae, and subtribe, Selenipediinae. It is abbreviated Sel in trade journals.

The name of the genus is derived from the Greek selen, which means "moon", and pedium, which means "slipper" (referring to the pouch).

The seed capsules of these Central and South American lady's slipper orchids were formerly used as vanilla substitutes, but selenipediums are now rarely cultivated. Partly this is because of the difficulty of doing so, but is probably also due to the relatively small size of the Selenipedium's flower. The wild flower's Amazonian habitat is also under threat, so extinction is a risk for all species of Selenipedium.

Accepted species include:
 Selenipedium aequinoctiale Garay — Ecuador
 Selenipedium buenaventurae (Szlach. & Kolan.) P.J.Cribb
 Selenipedium chica Rchb.f.
 Selenipedium dodsonii P.J.Cribb
 Selenipedium isabelianum Barb.Rodr. — Brazil
 Selenipedium olgae Szlach. & Kolan.
 Selenipedium palmifolium (Lindl.) Rchb.f. & Warsz. 
 Selenipedium steyermarkii Foldats — Brazil, Venezuela
 Selenipedium vanillocarpum Barb.Rodr. — Brazil

Allied genera include Paphiopedilum, Mexipedium, Cypripedium and Phragmipedium - a genus containing several species formerly known as Selenipedium, such as Selenipedium caricinum (now Phragmipedium caricinum), and Selenipedium laevigatum (now Paphiopedilum philippinense).

References

External links
 
 Various Selenipedium samples, and the problems of cultivation
 Slipper Orchid Discussion Forum

Category:Orchid genera