About Orchids
Orchids (or Orchidaceae) are a certain family of flowering plants that can be found around the world. The orchid family is the largest plant family known to man and has more than 20,000 unique genera. A very large orchid sub-culture has emerged in recent years, giving rise to the term "Orchidophile," which is a person obsessed with these flowers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Features
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Although the orchid family of plants is very diverse as a whole, there are several key features that separate these these flowers from other species. Their most distinguishing feature is the presence of a singular petal that is highly modified. Generally speaking, orchids are also bilaterally symmetric, have parallel vein leaves and have very small seeds.
Categorization
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There are more than 20,000 different types of orchids, and it is estimated that more than 500 new types are added every year. As such, the different types of orchids are separated into different categories based on flower and root structure. Some examples of categories that determine type are if the orchid has a monopodal or sympodial root, the number of stamens, its color or its habitat.
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History
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It is estimated that orchids have been in existence for more than seventy million years, making them one of the oldest forms of plant life known to man. Their ever-increasing genera are evidence of this plant's unique ability to adapt to almost any climate and situation. Many scientists believe this unique adaptivity is why these plants have existed for such a long time. Different ancient genera have been shown to have lived everywhere from deep underground to atop high mountains.
Size
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Orchids are generally medium-to large size flowers, with the mean size being about XX. However, orchids have a wide range of sizes, with the smallest genera, Bulbophyllum minutissimum, having blooms that measure less than a centimeter in diameter. Conversely, the largest genera, Grammatophyllum speciosum, can have blooms up to 10 feet in diameter.
Misconceptions
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Despite popular fiction and film, there is no such thing as a "Blood Orchid." However, there is a "Dracula vampira" genera of orchid, but the name does not refer to any sinister floral tendencies.
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Resources
- Photo Credit SunBulb
