Description of red/anthocyanine pigmentation on my plant:
Minimal red spots at the base of the leave sheets, much less than the normal form, but clearly present. Penduncle and ovary are light green, but all covered with lots of red hairs/villi. Base of the petals and backside of the inner lip are covered with red hairs/villi. All other plant and flower parts are green/white/yellow.
Definitions I found:
Strictly botanically "albino plants" are devoid of green chlorophyl pigment but within our slipper context I found two more interesting definitions:
Mr Gruss in "Genus Paphiopedilum Albino forms" p8: "A plant whose FLOWERS are devoid of any red pigmentation is traditionally termed an albino"
Mr Braem in "Notes on albinism" p5: "a PLANT that lacks the possibility to produce anthocyanin pigments" ... "As soon as any shade of red occurs anywhere in any part of the PLANT, the specimen is not an albino."
The view of "the-scientist-within-me"
I personally lean more towards the albino FLOWER definition, than the albino PLANT definition. For me, whenever there are red pigments on petals, sepals, lip, staminode, warts, villi... I tag it as 'botanically disqualified'. My villosum fails both definitions.
What I do in these cases; I keep the albino form name on the tag, but adding an (*) marking so I know I will not share any pollen or put seed on it and expect albino offspring.
The view of "the-amateur-within-me"
I just love this plant, I honestly don't care if it is albino or not. I love the red villi on all flower parts and belief it adds to it's beauty. It will stay a precious member of my family.
I know different people have different views and I respect those as well. Thanks for all nice comments!
