Phragmipedium wallisii

Cypripedium caudatum var. wallisii, (Rchb. f.) J.H. Veitch 1894
Cypripedium wallisii, Rchb.f. 1873
Cypripedium warscewizianum, Rchb.f 1852
Paphiopedilum caudatum var. wallisii, (Rchb. f.) Stein 1892
Paphiopedilum wallisii, (Rchb. f.) Pfitzer 1894
Paphiopedilum warszewiczianum, (Rchb.f.) Pfitzer 1894
Phragmipedium caudatum var. wallisii, (Rchb. f.) Schltr. 1921
Phragmipedium wallisii, (Rchb.f) Garay 1978
Phragmipedium warscewiczianum, (Rchb.f) Schlechter 1922
Phragmopedilum caudatum var. wallisii, (Rchb. f.) Schltr. 1921
Phragmopedilum warscewiczianum, (Rchb. f.) Schltr. 1922
Selenipedium caudatum var. wallisii, (Rchb. f.) Rolfe 1895
Selenipedium wallisii, (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f. 1878
Selenipedium wallisii, (Rchb.f.), Linden 1887
Selenipedium warszewiczianum, Rchb. f. 1866;

wallisii = Gustav Wallis (*1830 in Lüneburg - †1878 in Cuenca, Ecuador) was a German botanist and collector who brought over 1000 new species to Europe.

Phragmipedium wallisii is lithophytically growing species and can be found in fully exposed cliff faces on granite rocks or lava flows from 600 to 2800 meters in altitude.

Flower size (petal length) to over 60cm, was thus also in the Guinness Book of Records as the "largest flower in the world". When the petals develop, not touching the top, then it stops growing in length.
This species grows on slopes, the petals grow down very long until they touch the ground and the insects can climb up the same and pollinate the flower.

The species is currently also traded as Phragmipedium warscewiczianum var. wallisii, but in the trade the old name Phragmipedium wallisii is commonly used.