Common Name:

General Information

Cypripedium tibeticum is a herbeceous perennial plant plant, spreading slowly by means of a stout, rather short rhizome to form a clump. It produces usually 3 leaves on each erect flowering stem, growing around 15 - 30cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its root, which is used medicinally. It is also grown as an ornamental[].
Cypripedium tibeticum has a wide range with scattered populations that are mostly found in small colonies,although sometimes there can be very large colonies. The plant is under numerous threats especially from overgrazing, ruthless collection for medicine and horticulture, habitat loss and disturbance of its range due to trampling, deforestation, clear-cutting, logging practices and climate change. Given its large range, however, these threats are unlikely to cause the population to decline very quickly in the near future. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[].

Known Hazards

We have seen no reports for Eurasian members of the genus, but there are reports that the glandular hairs on the leaves and stems of some N. American species can cause a rash, similar to poison ivy rash[].
We have no specific information for this species, but it has been stated that the roots of at least one member of the genus may cause psychedelic reactions, and large doses may result in giddiness, restlessness, headache, mental excitement and visual hallucinations[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of China and northwestern India

Habitat

Found in a variety of habitats from open alpine meadows, sparse forests, forest margins, scrubby slopes, grassy slopes, margins of coniferous and mixed woodlands, open limestone ledges and screes; at elevations from 2,300 - 4,600 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant grows wild on wet limestone stony substrates in partial shade. It favours much light but also requires abundant fresh and cool air[].
Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[].
The flowers of Cypripedium species belong to the group of 'trap' flowers. An insect as it crawls in, can only escape from the slipper-like labellum through a tunnel near the base of the labellum from where it is directed first to the nearby stigma where possible pollinia from another flower on its back are stripped off and while escaping, sticky pollen from the nearby anthers adhere to its back for the pollination of another flower[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

In China, the roots are said to be antiinflammatory and capable of preventing pain. They are used to increase urine output, relieve painful swellings, to improve blood circulation and to treat menstrual disorders.
A decoction of the roots is used in Tibet to treat rheumatism, leg oedema, external injuries, gonorrhoea and leucorrhoea[].
With the low boiling point of water at the high altitude of Tibet, which can be as low as 56°c, extraction of the ingredients of any plant would not be as efficient as in the lowlands. This could affect the potency of a decoction[]..

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move.
Division with care in early spring, the plants resent disturbance[]. Remove part of the original rootball, making sure to keep some of the soil around it intact[].
Division is best carried out towards the end of the growing season, since food reserves are fairly evenly distributed through the rhizome[]. Small divisions of a lead and two buds, or divisions from the back (older) part of the rhizome without any developed buds, establish quickly using this method[]. Replant immediately in situ[].