They are one of the most cultivated and collected flowers in the world, but many species have become so rare that they almost do not exist. Many are sold on the affiliate market for huge sums.
These are the rarest orchids in the world
Short Petal Serapias
Native to Algeria and Tunisia, this is an orchid with a very small population. Cerapias à Petals etroides grows in only a few places in both countries, with an estimated number of fewer than 50 mature plants in each group. The species is threatened by clearing roadside ditches, cattle grazing and zoos.
Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid
It is one of the most sought after rare orchids in the world. According to recent data, a stem of Rothschild slipper orchid can be worth up to $5,000 on the black market. It grows only on Mount Kinabalu in North Borneo, Malaysia.
Urban Papiopedilum
Populations of urban Papiopetilum have been virtually wiped out and reduced by more than 95% in the past three generations. It is estimated that there are fewer than 50 Papiopedilum d’urbano left in the wild.
Papiopedilum of Lyme
earlier this era, but its population began to decline sharply in 1971 due to overharvesting.
Chang’s Papiopedilum
Song’s Papiopedilum is a rare orchid native to the North Sulawesi montane forests of Indonesia. This species is estimated to grow only in an area of 8 km². The species is threatened by deforestation, logging, fire and habitat destruction.
