Paphiopedilum appletonianum is accepted species in  the family Orchidaceae  subfamily: Cypripedioideae,  
Genus Paphiopedilum   subgenus Sigmatopetalum  section: Spathopetalum   subsection: Spathopetalum 
Infraspecific taxa recognized within Paphiopedilum appletonianum: infraspecific taxa
This species is found in China (SW. Guangxi) to Indo-China.