My Fascination with Orchidaceae
Orchidaceae, the orchid family, has always held a special place in my heart. Its sheer diversity and intricate beauty never cease to amaze me. From delicate epiphytes clinging to tree branches to vibrant terrestrial orchids blooming on forest floors, this family showcases nature’s artistry at its finest.
A Symphony of Diversity
Orchids are renowned for their incredible diversity. With over 28,000 known species and countless hybrids, they represent one of the largest families of flowering plants on Earth. Each species boasts its unique characteristics, from the size and shape of its flowers to its preferred habitat and pollination strategy.
- Phalaenopsis: These orchids, also known as moth orchids, are popular houseplants due to their elegant, long-lasting blooms. – 89 Species in Genus Phalaenopsis
- Cattleya: These orchids are prized for their large, showy flowers, often used in corsages and floral arrangements. – 236 Species in Genus Cattleya
- Dendrobium: This diverse genus includes a wide range of orchids, from compact epiphytes to tall, cane-like plants. – 1621 Species in Genus Dendrobium
- Oncidium: These orchids, often called dancing lady orchids, have distinctive flowers with a prominent lip that resembles a skirt. – 367 Species in Genus Oncidium
- Paphiopedilum: These orchids, also known as slipper orchids, have unique pouch-shaped flowers that trap pollinating insects. – 144 Species in Genus Paphiopedilum
- Aa Rchb.f.
- Acampe Lindl.
- Acanthophippium Blume
- Achlydosa M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
- Acianthera Scheidw.
- Acianthus R.Br.
- Acineta Lindl.
- Acriopsis Reinw. ex Blume
- Acrorchis Dressler
- Adamantinia Van den Berg & C.N.Gonç.
- Adenochilus Hook.f.
- Adenoncos Blume
- Adrorhizon Hook.f.
- Aenhenrya Gopalan
- Aerangis Rchb.f.
- Aeranthes Lindl.
- Aerides Lour.
- Aeridostachya (Hook.f.) Brieger
- Aetheorhyncha Dressler
- Afropectinariella M.Simo & Stévart
- Aganisia Lindl.
- Aglossorrhyncha Schltr.
- Agrostophyllum Blume
- Alamania Lex.
- Alatiliparis Marg. & Szlach.
- Altensteinia Kunth
- Ambrella H.Perrier
- Amesiella Schltr. ex Garay
- Amoana Leopardi & Carnevali
- × Anacamptiplatanthera P.Fourn.
- Anacamptis Rich.
- × Anacamptorchis E.G.Camus
- Anathallis Barb.Rodr.
- Ancistrochilus Rolfe
- Ancistrorhynchus Finet
- Andinia (Luer) Luer
- Andreettaea Luer
- Angraecopsis Kraenzl.
- Angraecum Bory
- Anguloa Ruiz & Pav.
- Ania Lindl.
- Anoectochilus Blume
- Ansellia Lindl.
- Anthogonium Wall. ex Lindl.
- Apetalanthe Aver. & Vuong
- Aphyllorchis Blume
- Aplectrum (Nutt.) Torr.
- Aporostylis Rupp & Hatch
- Apostasia Blume
- Appendicula Blume
- Aracamunia Carnevali & I.RamÃrez
- Arachnis Blume
- Archivea Christenson & Jenny
- Arethusa L. – Arethusa Bulbosa in Genus Arethusa
- Arpophyllum Lex.
- Arthrochilus F.Muell.
- Artorima Dressler & G.E.Pollard
- Arundina Blume
- Aspasia Lindl.
- Aulosepalum Garay
- Auxopus Schltr.
- Bambuseria Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen
- Barbosella Schltr.
- Barkeria Knowles & Westc.
- Baskervilla Lindl.
- Batemannia Lindl.
- Beclardia A.Rich.
- Beloglottis Schltr.
- × Bensteinia Christenson
- Benthamia A.Rich.
- Benzingia Dodson
- Bidoupia Aver., Ormerod & Duy
- Biermannia King & Pantl.
- Bifrenaria Lindl.
- Bipinnula Comm. ex Juss.
- Bletia Ruiz & Pav.
- Bletilla Rchb.f. – 5 Species in Genus Bletilla
- Bogoria J.J.Sm.
- Bolusiella Schltr.
- Bonatea Willd.
- Brachionidium Lindl.
- Brachycorythis Lindl.
- Brachypeza Garay
- Brachystele Schltr.
- Braemia Jenny
- Brassavola R.Br. – 19 Species in Genus Brassavola
- Brassia R.Br.
- × Brassocattleya Rolfe
- Bromheadia Lindl.
- Broughtonia R.Br.
- Brownleea Harv. ex Lindl.
- Bryobium Lindl.
- Buchtienia Schltr.
- Bulbophyllum Thouars – 2186 Species in Genus Bulbophyllum
- Burnettia Lindl.
- Caladenia R.Br.
- Calanthe R.Br. – 244 Species in Genus Calanthe
- Caleana R.Br.
- Callostylis Blume
- Calochilus R.Br.
- Calopogon R.Br.
- Caluera Dodson & Determann
- Calymmanthera Schltr.
- Calypso Salisb. – Calypso Bulbosa in Genus Calypso
- Calyptrochilum Kraenzl.
- Campanulorchis Brieger
- Campylocentrum Benth.
- Capanemia Barb.Rodr.
- Cardiochilos P.J.Cribb
- Catasetum Rich. ex Kunth – 230 Species in Genus Catasetum
- × Cattlianthe J.M.H.Shaw
- × Catyclia J.M.H.Shaw
- Caucaea Schltr.
- Caularthron Raf.
- Centrostigma Schltr.
- Cephalanthera Rich.
- × Cephalopactis Asch. & Graebn.
- × Cephalorchis F.M.Vázquez
- Ceratandra Lindl.
- Ceratocentron Senghas
- Ceratostylis Blume
- Chamaeanthus Schltr.
- Chamaegastrodia Makino & F.Maek.
- Chamelophyton Garay
- × Chamodenia Peitz
- Chamorchis Rich.
- Changnienia S.S.Chien
- Chaubardia Rchb.f.
- Chaubardiella Garay
- Cheiradenia Lindl.
- Cheirostylis Blume
- Chiloglottis R.Br.
- Chiloschista Lindl.
- Chloraea Lindl.
- Chondrorhyncha Lindl.
- Chondroscaphe (Dressler) Senghas & G.Gerlach
- Chroniochilus J.J.Sm.
- Chrysoglossum Blume
- Chysis Lindl.
- Chytroglossa Rchb.f.
- Cirrhaea Lindl.
- Cischweinfia Dressler & N.H.Williams
- Claderia Hook.f.
- Cleisocentron Brühl
- Cleisomeria Lindl. ex G.Don
- Cleisostoma Blume
- Cleisostomopsis Seidenf.
- Cleistes Rich. ex Lindl.
- Cleistesiopsis Pansarin & F.Barros
- Clematepistephium N.Hallé
- Clowesia Lindl.
- Coccineorchis Schltr.
- Cochleanthes Raf.
- × Cochlezella J.M.H.Shaw
- Codonorchis Lindl.
- Coelia Lindl.
- Coeliopsis Rchb.f.
- Coelogyne Lindl.
- Coenoemersa R.González & Lizb.Hern.
- Coilochilus Schltr.
- Collabium Blume
- Comparettia Poepp. & Endl.
- Constantia Barb.Rodr.
- Cooktownia D.L.Jones
- Corallorhiza Gagnebin
- Coryanthes Hook.
- Corybas Salisb.
- Corycium Sw.
- Corymborkis Thouars
- Cottonia Wight
- Cotylolabium Garay
- Cranichis Sw.
- Cremastra Lindl.
- Crepidium Blume
- Crossoglossa Dressler & Dodson
- Crossoliparis Marg.
- Cryptarrhena R.Br.
- Cryptochilus Wall.
- Cryptopus Lindl.
- Cryptostylis R.Br.
- Cuitlauzina Lex.
- Cyanaeorchis Barb.Rodr.
- × Cyanthera Hopper & A.P.Br.
- Cybebus Garay
- Cyclopogon C.Presl
- Cycnoches Lindl.
- Cylindrolobus Blume
- Cymbidium Sw. – 107 Species in Genus Cymbidium
- Cymbilabia D.K.Liu & Ming H.Li
- Cymboglossum (Schltr.) Rauschert
- Cynorkis Thouars
- Cypholoron Dodson & Dressler
- Cypripedium L. – 62 Species in Genus Cypripedium
- Cyrtochiloides N.H.Williams & M.W.Chase
- Cyrtochilum Kunth
- Cyrtopodium R.Br.
- Cyrtorchis Schltr.
- Cyrtosia Blume
- Cyrtostylis R.Br.
- Cystorchis Blume
- × Dactylanthera P.F.Hunt & Summerh.
- × Dactylocamptis P.F.Hunt & Summerh.
- × Dactylodenia Garay & H.R.Sweet
- Dactylorhiza Neck. ex Nevski
- Dactylostalix Rchb.f.
- Daiotyla Dressler
- Danhatchia Garay & Christenson
- Danxiaorchis J.W.Zhai, F.W.Xing & Z.J.Liu
- Deceptor Seidenf.
- Degranvillea Determann
- Deiregyne Schltr.
- Dendrolirium Blume
- Dendrophylax Rchb.f.
- Devogelia Schuit.
- Diaphananthe Schltr.
- Diceratostele Summerh.
- Dichaea Lindl.
- Dichromanthus Garay
- Didymoplexiella Garay
- Didymoplexiopsis Seidenf.
- Didymoplexis Griff.
- Dienia Lindl.
- Diglyphosa Blume
- Dilochia Lindl.
- Dilochiopsis (Hook.f.) Brieger
- Dilomilis Raf.
- Dimerandra Schltr.
- Dimorphorchis Rolfe
- Dinema Lindl.
- Dinklageella Mansf.
- Diodonopsis Pridgeon & M.W.Chase
- Diplocentrum Lindl.
- Diplomeris D.Don
- Diploprora Hook.f.
- Dipodium R.Br.
- Disa P.J.Bergius – 189 Species in Genus Disa
- Discyphus Schltr.
- Disperis Sw.
- Diuris Sm.
- Domingoa Schltr.
- Dossinia C.Morren
- Dracomonticola H.P.Linder & Kurzweil
- Draconanthes (Luer) Luer
- Dracula Luer – 149 Species in Genus Dracula
- Drakaea Lindl.
- Dresslerella Luer
- Dressleria Dodson
- Dryadella Luer
- Dryadorchis Schltr.
- Drymoanthus Nicholls
- Duckeella Porto & Brade
- Dunstervillea Garay
- Dyakia Christenson
- Earina Lindl.
- Echinorhyncha Dressler
- Echinosepala Pridgeon & M.W.Chase
- Eclecticus P.O’Byrne
- Eggelingia Summerh.
- Eleorchis F.Maek.
- Elleanthus C.Presl
- Eloyella P.Ortiz
- Eltroplectris Raf.
- Embreea Dodson
- Encyclia Hook. – 198 Species in Genus Encyclia
- Ephippianthus Rchb.f.
- Epiblastus Schltr.
- Epiblema R.Br.
- Epidendrum L. – 1890 Species in Genus Epidendrum
- Epipactis Zinn
- Epipogium Borkh.
- Epistephium Kunth
- Erasanthe P.J.Cribb, Hermans & D.L.Roberts
- Eria Lindl.
- Eriaxis Rchb.f.
- Eriochilus R.Br.
- Eriodes Rolfe
- Eriopsis Lindl.
- Erycina Lindl.
- Erythrodes Blume
- Erythrorchis Blume
- Espinhassoa Salazar & J.A.N.Bat.
- Eulophia R.Br.
- Euryblema Dressler
- Eurycentrum Schltr.
- Eurychone Schltr.
- Eurystyles Wawra
- Evotella Kurzweil & H.P.Linder
- Fernandezia Ruiz & Pav.
- Frondaria Luer
- Fuertesiella Schltr.
- Funkiella Schltr.
- Galeandra Lindl.
- Galearis Raf.
- Galeoglossum A.Rich. & Galeotti
- Galeola Lour.
- Galeottia A.Rich.
- Galeottiella Schltr.
- Gastrochilus D.Don
- Gastrodia R.Br.
- Gavilea Poepp.
- Gennaria Parl.
- Genoplesium R.Br.
- Glomera Blume
- Gomesa R.Br.
- Gomphichis Lindl.
- Gonatostylis Schltr.
- Gongora Ruiz & Pav.
- Goodyera R.Br.
- Govenia Lindl.
- Grammangis Rchb.f.
- Grammatophyllum Blume – 13 Species in Genus Grammatophyllum
- Grandiphyllum Docha Neto
- Graphorkis Thouars
- Gravendeelia BogarÃn & Karremans
- Greenwoodiella Salazar, Hern.-López & J.Sharma
- Grobya Lindl.
- Grosourdya Rchb.f.
- Guanchezia G.A.Romero & Carnevali
- Guarianthe Dressler & W.E.Higgins
- Gymnadenia R.Br.
- × Gymnanacamptis Asch. & Graebn.
- × Gymnotraunsteinera Cif. & Giacom.
- × Gymplatanthera L.C.Lamb.
- Habenaria Willd. – 898 Species in Genus Habenaria
- Hagsatera R.González
- Halleorchis Szlach. & Olszewski
- Hammarbya Kuntze
- Hancockia Rolfe
- Hapalorchis Schltr.
- Hederorkis Thouars
- Helleriella A.D.Hawkes
- Helonoma Garay
- Hemipilia Lindl.
- Herminium L.
- Herpysma Lindl.
- Hetaeria Blume
- Himantoglossum Spreng.
- Hintonella Ames
- Hoehneella Ruschi
- Hofmeisterella Rchb.f.
- Holcoglossum Schltr.
- × Holcosia J.M.H.Shaw
- Holothrix Rich. ex Lindl.
- Homalopetalum Rolfe
- Horichia Jenny
- Horvatia Garay
- Houlletia Brongn.
- Hsenhsua X.H.Jin, Schuit. & W.T.Jin
- Huntleya Bateman ex Lindl.
- Huttonaea Harv.
- Hylophila Lindl.
- Hymenorchis Schltr.
- Ida A.Ryan & Oakeley
- Imerinaea Schltr.
- Ionopsis Kunth
- Ipsea Lindl.
- Isabelia Barb.Rodr.
- Isochilus R.Br.
- Isotria Raf.
- Ixyophora Dressler
- Jacquiniella Schltr.
- Jejewoodia Szlach.
- Jumellea Schltr.
- Karma Karremans
- Kefersteinia Rchb.f.
- Kegeliella Mansf.
- Kionophyton Garay
- Kipandiorchis P.O’Byrne & Gokusing
- Koellensteinia Rchb.f.
- Kylicanthe Descourv., Stévart & Droissart
- Lacaena Lindl.
- Laelia Lindl. – 30 Species in Genus Laelia
- × Laeliocattleya Rolfe
- Lankesterella Ames
- Lankesteriana Karremans
- Lecanorchis Blume
- Lemurella Schltr.
- Lemurorchis Kraenzl.
- Leochilus Knowles & Westc.
- Lepanthes Sw.
- Lepanthopsis (Cogn.) Ames
- Lepidogyne Blume
- Leporella A.S.George
- Leptoceras (R.Br.) Lindl.
- Leptotes Lindl.
- Limodorum Boehm.
- Liparis Rich.
- Listrostachys Rchb.f.
- Lockhartia Hook.
- Loefgrenianthus Hoehne
- Ludisia A.Rich.
- Lueckelia Jenny
- Lueddemannia Linden & Rchb.f.
- Luisia Gaudich.
- × Lycamerlycaste J.M.H.Shaw
- Lycaste Lindl.
- × Lycida Oakeley
- Lycomormium Rchb.f.
- Lyperanthus R.Br.
- Lyroglossa Schltr.
- Macodes Lindl.
- Macradenia R.Br.
- Macroclinium Barb.Rodr.
- Macropodanthus L.O.Williams
- Madisonia Luer
- Malaxis Sol. ex Sw.
- Manniella Rchb.f.
- Masdevallia Ruiz & Pav. – 660 Species in Genus Masdevallia Orchids
- Maxillaria Ruiz & Pav.
- Mediocalcar J.J.Sm.
- Megalorchis H.Perrier
- Megastylis (Schltr.) Schltr.
- Meiracyllium Rchb.f.
- Mengzia W.C.Huang, Z.J.Liu & C.Hu
- Mesadenella Pabst & Garay
- Mesadenus Schltr.
- Mexipedium V.A.Albert & M.W.Chase
- Microchilus C.Presl
- Microcoelia Lindl.
- Microepidendrum Brieger ex W.E.Higgins
- Micropera Lindl.
- Microsaccus Blume
- Microthelys Garay
- Microtis R.Br.
- Miltonia Lindl. – 20 Species in Genus Miltonia
- × Miltonidium C.H.Curtis
- Miltoniopsis God.-Leb. – 5 Species in Genus Miltoniopsis
- Mobilabium Rupp
- Monophyllorchis Schltr.
- Mormodes Lindl.
- Mycaranthes Blume
- Myoxanthus Poepp. & Endl.
- × Myrmecolaelia F.Hanb. ex Rolfe
- Myrmecophila Rolfe
- Myrosmodes Rchb.f.
- Mystacidium Lindl.
- Nemaconia Knowles & Westc.
- Neobathiea Schltr.
- Neobolusia Schltr.
- Neocogniauxia Schltr.
- Neogardneria Schltr. ex Garay
- Neomoorea Rolfe
- × Neotinacamptis J.M.H.Shaw
- × Neotinarhiza J.M.H.Shaw
- Neotinea Rchb.f.
- Neottia Guett.
- Nephelaphyllum Blume
- Nephrangis (Schltr.) Summerh.
- Nervilia Comm. ex Gaudich.
- Neuwiedia Blume
- Nidema Britton & Millsp.
- Nohawilliamsia M.W.Chase & Whitten
- Nothostele Garay
- Notylia Lindl.
- Notyliopsis P.Ortiz
- Oberonia Lindl.
- Oberonioides Szlach.
- Octarrhena Thwaites
- Octomeria R.Br.
- Odontochilus Blume
- Odontorrhynchus M.N.Correa
- Oeonia Lindl.
- Oeoniella Schltr.
- Oestlundia W.E.Higgins
- Oligophyton H.P.Linder
- Oliveriana Rchb.f.
- Omoea Blume
- Ophidion Luer
- Ophioglossella Schuit. & Ormerod
- Ophrys L.
- Opilionanthe Karremans & BogarÃn
- × Orchidactylorhiza Soó & Borsos
- × Orchigymnadenia E.G.Camus
- × Orchimantoglossum Asch. & Graebn.
- × Orchinea J.M.H.Shaw
- Orchipedum Breda
- × Orchiplatanthera E.G.Camus
- Orchis Tourn. ex L. – 60 Species in Genus Orchis
- Oreorchis Lindl.
- Orestias Ridl.
- Orleanesia Barb.Rodr.
- Ornithocephalus Hook.
- Orthoceras R.Br.
- Otoglossum (Schltr.) Garay & Dunst.
- Otostylis Schltr.
- Oxystophyllum Blume
- Pabstia Garay
- Pabstiella Brieger & Senghas
- Pachites Lindl.
- Pachyplectron Schltr.
- Pachystoma Blume
- Palmorchis Barb.Rodr.
- Paphinia Lindl.
- Papilionanthe Schltr.
- Papuaea Schltr.
- Paradisanthus Rchb.f.
- Paraphalaenopsis A.D.Hawkes
- Pecteilis Raf.
- Pelatantheria Ridl.
- Pelexia Poit. ex Lindl.
- Pendusalpinx Karremans & Mel.Fernández
- Pennilabium J.J.Sm.
- Peristeranthus T.E.Hunt
- Peristeria Hook.
- Peristylus Blume
- Pescatoria Rchb.f.
- Phaius Lour.
- Pheladenia D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
- Phloeophila Hoehne & Schltr.
- Phragmipedium Rolfe – 21 Species in Genus Phragmipedium
- Phragmorchis L.O.Williams
- Phreatia Lindl.
- Phymatidium Lindl.
- Physogyne Garay
- Pilophyllum Schltr.
- Pinalia Lindl.
- Platanthera Rich.
- Platycoryne Rchb.f.
- Platylepis A.Rich.
- Platyrhiza Barb.Rodr.
- Platystele Schltr.
- Plectorrhiza Dockrill
- Plectrelminthus Raf.
- Plectrophora H.Focke
- Pleione D.Don – 35 Species in Genus Pleione
- Pleurothallis R.Br. – 582 Species in Genus Pleurothallis
- Pleurothallopsis Porto & Brade
- Plocoglottis Blume
- Poaephyllum Ridl.
- Podangis Schltr.
- Podochilus Blume
- Pogonia Juss.
- Pogoniopsis Rchb.f.
- Polycycnis Rchb.f.
- Polyotidium Garay
- Polystachya Hook.
- Pomatocalpa Breda
- Ponera Lindl.
- Ponthieva R.Br.
- Porpax Lindl.
- Porphyroglottis Ridl.
- Porphyrostachys Rchb.f.
- Porroglossum Schltr.
- Porrorhachis Garay
- Praecoxanthus Hopper & A.P.Br.
- Prasophyllum R.Br.
- Prescottia Lindl.
- Pridgeonia Pupulin
- Promenaea Lindl.
- Prosthechea Knowles & Westc.
- × Pseudadenia P.F.Hunt
- Pseuderia Schltr.
- × Pseudinium P.F.Hunt
- Pseudocentrum Lindl.
- Pseudogoodyera Schltr.
- Pseudolaelia Porto & Brade
- Pseudorchis Ség.
- × Pseudorhiza P.F.Hunt
- Pseudovanilla Garay
- Psilochilus Barb.Rodr.
- Psychilis Raf.
- Psychopsiella Lückel & Braem
- Psychopsis Raf. – 4 Species in Genus Psychopsis
- × Psytonia J.M.H.Shaw
- Pterichis Lindl.
- Pteroceras Hasselt ex Hassk.
- Pteroglossa Schltr.
- Pterostemma Kraenzl.
- Pterostylis R.Br.
- Pterygodium Sw.
- Pupulinia Karremans & BogarÃn
- Pygmaeorchis Brade
- Pyrorchis D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
- Quechua Salazar & L.Jost
- Quekettia Lindl.
- Quisqueya Dod
- Rangaeris (Schltr.) Summerh.
- Rauhiella Pabst & Braga
- Renanthera Lour.
- Restrepia Kunth
- Restrepiella Garay & Dunst.
- Rhinerrhiza Rupp
- Rhipidoglossum Schltr.
- Rhizanthella R.S.Rogers
- Rhomboda Lindl.
- Rhynchogyna Seidenf. & Garay
- Rhyncholaelia Schltr.
- Rhynchostele Rchb.f.
- Rhynchostylis Blume
- Ridleyella Schltr.
- Rimacola Rupp
- Risleya King & Pantl.
- Robiquetia Gaudich.
- Rodriguezia Ruiz & Pav.
- Roeperocharis Rchb.f.
- Rossioglossum (Schltr.) Garay & G.C.Kenn.
- Rudolfiella Hoehne
- Saccolabiopsis J.J.Sm.
- Saccolabium Blume
- Sacoila Raf.
- Sanderella Kuntze
- Santotomasia Ormerod
- Sarcanthopsis Garay
- Sarcochilus R.Br.
- Sarcoglottis C.Presl
- Sarcoglyphis Garay
- Sarcophyton Garay
- Satyrium Sw.
- Saundersia Rchb.f.
- Sauroglossum Lindl.
- Scaphosepalum Pfitzer
- Scaphyglottis Poepp. & Endl.
- Schiedeella Schltr.
- Schizochilus Sond.
- Schlimia Planch. & Linden
- Schoenorchis Blume
- Schuitemania Ormerod
- Schunkea Senghas
- Scuticaria Lindl.
- Seegeriella Senghas
- Seidenfadenia Garay
- Selenipedium Rchb.f.
- Serapias L.
- × Serapicamptis Godfery
- × Serapirhiza Potucek
- Sertifera Lindl. ex Rchb.f.
- Sievekingia Rchb.f.
- Silvorchis J.J.Sm.
- Sirhookera Kuntze
- Sirindhornia H.A.Pedersen & Suksathan
- Skeptrostachys Garay
- Smithsonia C.J.Saldanha
- Smitinandia Holttum
- Sobennikoffia Schltr.
- Sobralia Ruiz & Pav.
- Solenangis Schltr.
- Solenidium Lindl.
- Solenocentrum Schltr.
- Soterosanthus F.Lehm. ex Jenny
- Sotoa Salazar
- Spathoglottis Blume – 44 Species in Genus Spathoglottis
- Specklinia Lindl.
- Sphyrarhynchus Mansf.
- Spiculaea Lindl.
- Spiranthes Rich. – 52 Species in Genus Spiranthes
- Stalkya Garay
- Stanhopea J.Frost ex Hook. – 84 Species in Genus Stanhopea
- Stelis Sw.
- Stellamaris Mel.Fernández & BogarÃn
- Stenia Lindl.
- Stenoglottis Lindl.
- Stenoptera C.Presl
- Stenorrhynchos Rich. ex Spreng.
- Stenotyla Dressler
- Stereochilus Lindl.
- Stereosandra Blume
- Steveniella Schltr.
- Stichorkis Thouars
- Stigmatodactylus Maxim. ex Makino
- Strongyleria (Pfitzer) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen
- Suarezia Dodson
- Summerhayesia P.J.Cribb
- Sutrina Lindl.
- Svenkoeltzia Burns-Bal.
- Systeloglossum Schltr.
- Taeniophyllum Blume
- Tainia Blume
- Tamayorkis Szlach.
- Taprobanea Christenson
- Teagueia (Luer) Luer
- Telipogon Kunth
- Tetramicra Lindl.
- Teuscheria Garay
- Thaia Seidenf.
- Thecopus Seidenf.
- Thecostele Rchb.f.
- Thelasis Blume
- Thelymitra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
- Thelyschista Garay
- Thrixspermum Lour.
- Thulinia P.J.Cribb
- Thunia Rchb.f.
- Thuniopsis L.Li, D.P.Ye & Shi J.Li
- Thysanoglossa Porto & Brade
- Tipularia Nutt.
- Tolumnia Raf. – 31 Species in Genus Tolumnia
- Tomzanonia Nir
- Townsonia Cheeseman
- Trachoma Garay
- Traunsteinera Rchb.
- Trevoria F.Lehm.
- Triceratorhynchus Summerh.
- Trichocentrum Poepp. & Endl.
- Trichoceros Kunth
- Trichoglottis Blume
- Trichopilia Lindl.
- Trichosalpinx Luer
- Trichotosia Blume
- Tridactyle Schltr.
- Triphora Nutt.
- Trisetella Luer
- Trizeuxis Lindl.
- Tropidia Lindl.
- Tsaiorchis Tang & F.T.Wang
- Tuberolabium Yamam.
- Tylostigma Schltr.
- Uleiorchis Hoehne
- Uncifera Lindl.
- Vanda R.Br. – 97 Species in Genus Vanda
- × Vandoglossum Garay
- Vandopsis Pfitzer
- Vanilla Plum. ex Mill. – 126 Species in Genus Vanilla
- Vargasiella C.Schweinf.
- Vasqueziella Dodson
- Veyretella Szlach. & Olszewski
- Veyretia Szlach.
- Vitekorchis Romowicz & Szlach.
- Vrydagzynea Blume
- Waireia D.L.Jones, Molloy & M.A.Clem.
- Warczewiczella Rchb.f.
- Warmingia Rchb.f.
- Warrea Lindl.
- Warreella Schltr.
- Warreopsis Garay
- Wullschlaegelia Rchb.f.
- Xerorchis Schltr.
- Xylobium Lindl.
- Yoania Maxim.
- Ypsilopus Summerh.
- Zelenkoa M.W.Chase & N.H.Williams
- Zeuxine Lindl.
- Zootrophion Luer
- Zygopetalum Hook.
- Zygosepalum (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f.
- Zygostates Lindl.
An Intricate Beauty
Orchid flowers are a marvel of evolutionary design. Their intricate shapes and vibrant colors often serve to attract specific pollinators, ensuring successful reproduction. Some orchids mimic the appearance of female insects, luring males in for pollination. Others produce fragrant nectar or offer shelter to entice pollinators.
The orchid’s beauty extends beyond its flowers. Many species have stunning foliage, with variegated patterns or unique textures. Some orchids even develop pseudobulbs, specialized storage organs that help them survive periods of drought.
A Fragile Ecosystem
Orchids are often sensitive to changes in their environment. Deforestation, habitat loss, and illegal collection pose significant threats to their survival. Many species are endangered or threatened, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Cultivating orchids can be a rewarding but challenging endeavor. They require specific growing conditions, including proper light, humidity, and air circulation. Orchid enthusiasts often spend years honing their skills to successfully grow and propagate these delicate plants.
A Lifelong Passion
My fascination with orchids continues to grow with each passing year. I’m constantly learning new things about their biology, ecology, and cultivation. Whether I’m exploring a tropical rainforest or tending to my own collection, orchids always bring me joy and wonder.
I encourage everyone to appreciate the beauty and diversity of orchids. By supporting conservation efforts and responsible cultivation, we can ensure that these remarkable plants continue to thrive for generations to come.