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Orchids
The orchid family, Orchidaceae, is the
most numerous in the plant kingdom. There
are about 25,000 to 30,000 known species
of orchids around the world. Orchids are
found in all continents except Antarctica,
from hot tropical jungles to the cold
climate in North America. However, some
orchids are found only in certain region
of the world and nowhere else, for example,
the Vanda genus colonizes only South East
Asia.
There are two types of orchids: terrestrial
orchids and epiphytes. Terrestrial orchids,
such as Cymbidium, grow on the ground,
while epiphytes establish themselves on
trees. Each type of orchids can grow in
two different ways:
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Sympodial
orchids: the new shoots emerge alongside
of the old plants, causing lateral
spread. Catleya is sympodial-epiphytes.
Most epiphytic- sympodial orchids
have storage stems, pseudobulbs or
bulbs, to help them survive the dry
season. |
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Monopodial
orchids: new growth is added to the
apex, increasing the plant's height.
The leaves are arranged alternately
around the stem. Examples of monopodial
orchids are Vanda, Phalaenopsis... |
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Most
popular orchids grown today are hybrid
species, creating by plant breeders
in their hundreds of thousands. These
"new" species may be the
result of crossing two related species,
or from three to four different genera. |
Orchids are
the most beautiful, the most sensual, the
most exotic, and the most costly flowers.
But you can enjoy them free at this site.
If you want to know more about orchids,
please visit The American Orchid Society
and The Orchid Lady.
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