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. The orchids vary in the size, shape, color, fragrance or the lack of it.
There are over 28,000 orchid species and many more hybrids. Orchids possess different shapes and interesting formations. They resemble birds in flight, lady’s slipper, spiders and many more interesting structures. Some of the interesting orchids are listed underneath.
1. Caladenia Longicauda – The Spider Orchid
The beautiful spider orchids have very long sepals and petals. They are bright white in color and might have shades of magenta and green too. The interesting structure of the orchid resembles a spider. The long sepals and petals enhance the effect. The calcigena subspecies are bright white in color and are known as white spiders.
2. Ophrys Apifera – The Bee Orchid
The bee orchid is commonly found in temperate climate growing on semi dry turf. The orchid grows to a height of 30 cm. It develops small leaves in autumn and grows during winter. The petals spread out and are colored pink. The flower has a variable pattern of coloration and is generally brown-red with yellow markings. The interesting flower gets its name from its resemblance to a bee.
3. Oncidium Gower Ramsey – The Dancing Ladies
Oncidium is a large genus of epiphytic orchids native to tropical regions of America. The flowers of the genus have shades of yellow, red, white and pink. The petals and lip are ruffled. The flowers have an intriguing structure which resembles dancing ladies.
4. Ophrys Insectifera – The Fly Orchid
The fly orchid is native to Europe and thrives better in alkaline soil. The orchid resembles a fly and is thus called so. The plants attract male flies for pollination by releasing their scent. They resemble flies in order to assist pollination as the male flies pollinate them while attempting to mate. The scent released by the flowers is similar to the female fly pheromones. This is actually a form of adaptation for the flowers.
5. Pterostylis Aspera – The Shell Orchid
The shell orchids are of seven different types. They are generally found in the south west. They are colony forming orchids and are often seen in large numbers. The shell orchids resemble the snail orchids but are larger in size.
6. Coryanthes Macrantha – The Bucket Orchid or Monkey Throat Orchid
It is a large sized epiphytic orchid found mainly in Trinidad, Brazil, Venezuela and Guiana. The flower contains a reservoir of nectar to attract pollinators and due to this complex lip structure, the orchid is also known as the ‘bucket orchid’. The plant often grows in association with ants which provide protection to them. The interesting structure of the orchid makes it striking in appearance.
7. Anigozanthos Humilis – The Cat Paw Orchid
These orchids resemble cat and kangaroo paws and thus are named so. They have a basal rosette of long leaves and a raceme of flowers at the end of stalks. The long stalks give the plant a height of around one meter. The flower bud is yellow, turns orange and is red at the opening.
8. Ophrys sphegodes – The Early Spider Orchid
The early spider orchids are found on alkaline meadows and waste land. The plants are relatively short and the flowers have yellow-green sepals and a velvety brown labellum. The labellum has a distinctive H marking which makes it resemble the spider.
9. Paracaleana Minor – Small Duck Orchid
The small duck orchids are mainly found in woodland, forests and drained soils. The labellum is covered with dark purple shiny glands which close when touched. The labellum is beak-like. The plants reach up to a height of 6 inches and the flowers are 1 to 2 cm long.
10. Ophrys Speculum – The Mirror Orchid
These orchids are found in Portugal and Spain. The plants grow up to 30 cm and bloom in summer. They grow in cooler areas and in symbiotic association with fungus. The fringes on the lip are light red in color and the side sections are dark green and less yellow. The mirror orchids are brightly colored and extremely attractive.
