(described 2001 by Cavestro)
Geographic Distribution::Sabah, Borneo
Elevation: unknown
Blooming Season (North):
Light requirements: intermdiate to low
Temperatures : intermediate
Substrate: From published photos, it appears that the species grows on cliffs or rock faces, though the area appears to be quite moist and covered with moss.
Water:
Humidity:
Information about this newly discovered species is scarce. This species is most closely related to Paph hennisianum, Paph dayanum, Paph lawrenceanum, and Paph javanicum var virens, according to the species description (Cavestro:2001). Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that this species will grow best in similar conditions to these species, at least as a starting point.
Unlike Paph dayanum or lawrenceanum, sugiyamanum has relatively thin leaves. This means that it probably does not store water as well, and will need to be grown with high humidity and a constantly moist medium.
There is some dispute regarding the species status of Paph sugiyamanum. It should be noted, however, that sugiyamanum is found in Malaysian Borneo, where it is separated by several hundred miles of ocean from the range of Paph. hennisianum in the Philippines. The differences in staminode shape and petal size, dorsal sepal color, and some other color differences are likely divergences due to geographical population separation. Whether the differences amount to a species level separation is a matter of dispute of the definition of the "species" concept.
For more information about this species, see Dr. Tanaka's page on sugiyamanum, or the original description in Rhone-Alpes Orchidees, NO. 27.
