Orchids Flowers

The name orchid is derived from the Greek name for testicle – orchis. The subterranean tuberoids found on orchids from the genus Orchis look a bit similar to a human testicle. The first known use of the word is from the book De historia plantarum (The natural history of plants) which was written by Theophrastos. Theophrastos lived from approximately 372 to 287 B.C. and was educated by Aristotle. Theophrastos is considered to be the father of botany as well as of ecology.

Wild Orchids can be found all over the world in a wide range of different habitats, with the exception of desert environments and the harsh Antarctic continent. You can find orchid species on the Macquarie Island near Antarctica, and on the opposite side of the planet orchids are growing above the Arctic Circle. You will however encounter the greatest selection of orchids in tropical regions in Asia and South and Central America.

Around 300-350 of the recognized orchid genera are native tropical America. Tropical Asia is home to at least 250-300 genera, and tropical Africa has approximately 125-150 orchid genera. Oceania has 50-70 recognized orchid genera, Eurasia 40-60 genera and North America 20-30 known genera.

Orchids are often divided into four broad groups depending on how they retrieve their nutrients.

1.) Epiphytes anchor themselves on other plants, but they are not parasites. The orchids found in this group use photosynthesis to utilize energy from the sun. They are sometimes called “air plants” since they will not root in soil. A majority of the orchid species are epiphytes.

2.) Lithophytes are similar to epiphytes, but instead of anchoring themselves to other plants the lithophytes grow on rocks and rocky soil. They derive nutrients from rain water, litter, humus and similar sources and can break down and re-use their own dead tissue.

3.) Terrestrial orchids will root in soil or in pockets of loose substrate located above ground. They will retrieve nutrients from the soil/substrate in which they grow and this type of orchid is very common in temperate regions.

4.) Myco-heterotrophs have no chlorophyll of their own and will instead form ectomycorrhizal relationships with soil fungi that feed on decaying plant matter, e.g. fallen leaves. Earlier, the orchids in this group used to be known as saprophytes.

Most orchid species are listed under Appendix II in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), but some have been placed in Appendix I. Appendix I contains species that are considered threatened with extinction of trade is not haltered. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction right now, but which may become so if they remain completely unlisted. Examples of orchid species listed in Appendix I are the orchids in the genera Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium. When an orchid is listed in Appendix I, it is illegal to trade wild-caught specimens of that species unless you obtain a special license. These licences are only issued in exceptional cases. Cultivated specimens are legal to trade, but a non-detriment finding and an export permit is necessary if you want to export the orchids.