Orchids, the plants in the family Orchidaceae, make up the largest group of flowering plants in the plant kingdom, with over 26 000 (and possibly up to 30 000) known species. Orchids form the second largest group of plants overall, with only grasses surpassing them in number of species. With the exception of the Arctic, orchids are found worldwide; they occur from sea level to about 2 800 metres above sea level, growing everywhere from hot tropical jungles to semi-desert areas to just below the Arctic Circle. No other flowering plant group has the variety of plant form, leaf shape and flower colour as orchids. And, in case you are wondering, Southern Africa has many orchids of its own – over 450 species, with more than half of those endemic to this part of the world.

Beautiful and edible!
l Vanilla is extracted from the seedpod of the orchid VANILLA planifolia, which grows like a vine. This plant originated in Mexico, and it is reported that the Aztecs made a drink with cacao and vanilla. How delicious!
l In Turkey the tubers of ORCHIS mascula are ground to make salep flour, which is used to make dondurma – Turkish ice cream. (Dondurma is also the Turkish word for ‘freezing’.)
l In both Africa and China, certain cultures concoct ‘love potions’ from various orchid tubers.

Orchids grow (almost) anywhere!
l on trees – and then they are called epiphytic orchids
l on rocks – where they are called lithophytic orchids
l in soil – and these are called terrestrial orchids (ground orchids)

It’s a myth!
Orchids are not parasites; their roots don’t penetrate the host (tree) but only hold on to it. This is possible because the root is surrounded by a sponge-like outer layer called ‘velamen’ that protects the root, anchors the plant to its host and absorbs water, releasing it to the root as needed.

The long and the short
Certain orchid flowers hold the record for both the longest-lasting individual flower, as well as the shortest lasting individual flower. The long-lasting record goes to DENDROBIUM cuthbertsonii from Papua New Guinea, its individual blooms can last eight months. In stark contrast the blooms of SOBRALIA bouchei, from Panama, last two hours at the longest.

The big and the small
Orchid plants vary hugely in size. Some are gigantic, such as GRAMMATOPHYLLUM speciosum, which can grow to a diameter of a few metres and taller than a man, while some of those in the genus Pleurothallis are so tiny that you have to look closely to find them growing between mosses.

Minuscule, prolific and unusual
The seeds of many orchid species are so small that they are almost microscopic, and in some species there are over a million seeds in a capsule. These characteristics earn orchids the double accolade of having the smallest seeds, and the most seeds per capsule, in the plant kingdom. Orchids package their pollen grains in sticky masses, called pollinia (singular: pollinium) as opposed to the normal powdery pollen produced by most other flowers. The orchids share this peculiarity with the milkweeds (from the family Asclepiadaceae). Orchids generally have only two pollinia.

Leafless
Can you believe that there are even orchids without leaves and stems? The ‘velamen’ of these orchids, in the genus Microcoelia, contains chlorophyll, enabling them to produce food, thrive and flower.

Noble or rich?
In ancient China only the nobility were allowed to own orchids. Today in China certain Cymbidium species, notably CYMBIDIUM sinense and CYMBIDIUM goeringii, are so valuable that enthusiasts form syndicates of up to five people to buy a specimen – single plants can sell for US$2 000 to US$25 000.


Awesome Orchids!
Visit an orchid show and see for yourself what this fascinating group of plants is about. The Gauteng International Orchid Show and Conference will run over three days, from Friday 24 September to Sunday 26 September, and will take place at Safari Garden Centre in Pretoria. The show will feature international and local speakers, exhibits by many orchid societies, individuals, and local and overseas vendors. An essential part of the show is judging of plants and exhibits. This event is a precursor to the 21st World Orchid Conference, which will take place in 2014 in South Africa. {

For more information contact Catharina Wilfinger on 082 902 4628 or visit www.ont.co.za.