What is an Orchid?
This is not as silly a question as it might seem, nor is the answer easy. As new evidence is brought to light, taxonomists constantly reassess the limits of the orchid family: some, for instance, place the “most primitive” orchids, Apostasta and Neuwiedia, in their own family, Apostasiaceae. In describing a plant family so vast and so diverse, it is almost safe to say that there are no rules, only exceptions. Biologists generally agree, however, that one feature above all others defines the orchid and differentiates it from virtually all other flowering plants – the fusion of the male portion of the flower (stamens) and female portion (pistils). Orchids have three stamens and three pistils, but unlike those of a lily, for example, which are separate from each other, those of the orchid me fused into a structure termed the column or gynostemium, which is located to one side of the flower. In slipper orchids (Cypripedium Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Selenipedium), only two of the stamen
A tall, slender stalk leads to an exquisite flower composed of three inner petals, three outer petals, and a cupped petal distinct from the rest. Labellum, inflorescence, sepal the names of the anatomical parts sound as fabulous as they look. The whole exotic composition is almost alien in appearance, extravagant in the extreme, yet possessed of a delicate intricacy. Orchidaceae is arguably the most stunning and elegant family of flowering plant known to man. For millions of years, the orchid family has thrived and expanded, defying evolution, Mother Nature, and the exploitation of its greatest opponent Man. One hundred and twenty million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, a magnificent flowering plant came into being the orchid. Evolution led to the demise of many plants and animals, but the orchid flourished, thriving on every continent save Antarctica. Orchids have adapted to live in all kinds of environments mountains, bogs, grasslands and rainforests. At least 35,000 orch
