1.   Orchidaceae is the general name of the orchid family.   The orchid is a morphologically varied and extensive family of monocots.  It is understood to be the second leading group of flowering plants only surpassed by the Asteraceae group.   There is only half as many bird species and about one fourth as many mammal species as compared to the number or orchid species.  This means that the orchid family account s for approximately 5.75 to 11% of all seed plants. 

2.  The orchid family also includes Vanilla (vanilla plant) and Orchis (genus type) and cultivated plants like phalaenopsis or cattleyas.  This tropical species was introduced in the 19th century and horticulturists have produced 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.  Charles Darwin described the complex means to achieve cross-pollination in his book Fertilisation of Orchids in 1862. 

3.  The etymology or the name orchid comes from the Greek "orkhis".  This term when translated is testicle.  The use of this word comes from the fact that the root has a similar shape to a testicle.  John Lindley used or introduced the term in 1845.  It was used in a book called School Botany. 

4.  The occurrence or distribution of the orchid around the world is in almost every habitat.  While the largest portion is in the tropics, orchids are also found in the Arctic Circle, southern Patagonia and close to Antarctica. 

5.  Leaf structure corresponds to the habitat of the species itself.  Orchids that love sun or grow in places that can get dry have leaves that are thick and leathery.  And the lamina is enclosed in a waxy cuticle to help keep hold of the internal moisture of the plant.  Shade loving plants have long thin leaves.  Most of the orchid's leaves are perennial and they live for many seasons.  However, there are some with plicate leaves and do lose them on an annual basis.    

6.  According to one scientific study the age of orchids is possible to 100 million years ago.  Now I understand this is based on a fossil of a stingless bee found encased in amber.  They found pollen on its wings that places this bee in the late cretaceous period.  That means Mr. Dinosaur might have given Mrs. Dinosaur orchids for their anniversary. 

7.  Tulip growers were one of the first worldwide flower market players but orchids are now on the same scale.  The fact is that orchids are easily hybridized; they have become one of the most popular cut flowers in the worldwide marketplace.  The Taiwanese and the government in Singapore have large botanical gardens to showcase their orchids.   The international orchid trade show in Taiwan will bring more than 200,000 visitors. 

While these seven segments of orchid information will not turn you into an orchid scholar, they just might be enough to start a great conversation at the next orchid society meeting.

 

Marty Lewis