KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has adopted the rare and valuable Slipper Orchid (pic) 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.
“I believe there are many more species yet to be discovered and documented scientifically,” Musa added.
In this regard, he said, Sabah was fortunate to have dedicated individuals who were actively researching the state’s native orchids resulting in the discovery of new species.
The continuous collaboration between local orchid specialists with taxonomists, including those based in the United Kingdom and Singapore, is vital to educate the public on the natural treasure that exists here, said Musa.
The orchid show attracted some 20 participants from Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula as well as Japan and Brunei exhibiting more than 500 plants in 62 classes of orchids.