Why are there so many types of orchid flowers?
The short answer is nobody really knows. In geologic time Orchidaceae, where all orchids are classified, is an old plant family and one of the largest- there are hundreds of thousands of cultivars, varieties and hybrids. One possible theory is that orchids evolved with their pollinators. Orchids are found growing all over planet Earth with the exception of Antarctica, deep dry deserts and open water. Most are epiphytes (tree dwellers), while others are lithophytes (rock dwellers). Many temperate orchids are terrestrial, meaning they grow in soil like most other plants. All of these different characteristics are displayed in the plant and flower form as well as the adaptations to the things, whether they are insects, bats, or water, that help pollinate the flowers. The American Orchid Society is a great place for info on orchids. They have journals and research which are decades old. http://www.aos.org Some libraries will have copies of th
