Orchids are the most captivating, beautiful, colorful and distinctive variety among flowering plants. These plants belong to the Orchidaceae family, the largest family of flowering plants. The exotic flowers are found in all continents except Antartica. Some of the orchids are found only in certain regions,
which colonize only the particular geographic areas. They are the most rapidly evolving group of plants on earth with several genera and species. The orchids vary in the size, shape, color, fragrance or the lack of it.
Orchids are of two types namely, terrestrial orchids and epiphytes. Terrestrial orchids grow on the ground and epiphytes grow on trees. These orchids can grow in two different ways, monopodial and sympodial. The monopodial orchids have a central stem growing continuously from the tip. They lack pseudobulbs and add new growth to the apex, increasing the plant’s height. Flowers are produced from the stem between the leaves, arranged alternately around the stem. Sympodial orchids have a rhizome that grows the shoot and develops into a stem to eventually produce flowers. New shoot develops from the base of this growth and continues as a cycle. They have pseudobulbs that help them survive dry season.
There are over 28,000 orchid species and many more hybrids. Orchids vary in color, shape, size, requirement of sunlight and blooming period. Some of the orchids grow with the provision of fewer needs and care, and are commonly grown. Orchids come in various shades of color and have interesting formations. Many of the orchids resemble interesting structures like bees, flies, animals, slippers, spiders, buckets, ducks etc and get their common names from the resemblances. They are some of the most beautiful and fascinating of flowers and feature a huge variety.
