Paphiopedilum venustum (Wall.) Pfitzer

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This beautiful plant is a native of Napal [sic], and has been lately introduced.  It flowered with us in the month of August: the stem was about eight inches high. […] Although the flowers bear a considerable resemblance to the Cypripediums which were known before, the leaves are exceedingly different, and have not the least affinity with any of them: they are of a thick horny consistence, completely spotted all over with dark coloured spots.’  [LBC no.585/1821]. 

‘Native of the East Indies.  Communicated by Messrs. Whitley, Brames, and Milne, in November; who received it from the botanic garden at Calcutta.  It was brought here by Captain Craigie.  The only account we can find of this plant, is a mere notice by Dr. Wallich in a letter to Dr. Francis Hamilton, published in the first volume of the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, of a third new species of Cypripedium from Nepal, to which, we understand from Mr. Brown, the Doctor has given the name, which we have adopted.’  [BM t.2129/1820].  Introduced to Britain in 1816.  [JD].  BR f.788/1824.

History at Camden Park

Cypripedium venustum was part of a consignment of plants sent from Kew in November 1843 by John Bidwill, which, if it survived the journey, was probably brought to Camden.  The only other reference to this plant is a hand written entry in a copy of the 1850 catalogue held at the Mitchell Library [ML 635.9m].  This copy bears William Macarthur’s signature and the date 23rd Dec. 1854.  It did not appear in the printed 1857 edition but was certainly grown in the gardens at this time.

Notes