New life on Phu Quoc

Lady Slipper of Phu Quoc Island (Paphiopedilum Vietnamense) Discovered in the mountainous region of Phu Quoc National Park in Phu Quoc Island, this rare perennial orchid is known to produce its flowers between the months of April and June. It is classified in the endangered species Red List of the IUCN which prohibits the trade of the species; though this did to prevent poachers from smuggling illegal shipments into the United States from Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. In 1999, a large shipment was confiscated by the US Customs department, at which time; the United States Botanical Garden took responsibility for the care of these plants and under strict guidance of CITES it is now reproducing the species in a laboratory for commercial use in the hopes that legal access to cloned Lady Slippers of Phu Quoc at a reasonable price, will hinder the illegal trade of these magnificent specimens by drastically reducing the commercial value of the endangered plant.
Please visit http://www.wildlifeatrisk.org to find out more.