Orchid
Orchidaceae
Family: Orchidaceae · Also called Phalaenopsis, Moth Orchid, Cattleya
Powdery & Soft · Year-round bloomer
The orchid family is the largest and most diverse in the flowering plant kingdom, with species adapted to nearly every habitat on earth. From the tiny flowers of Platystele jungermannioides (2mm across) to the massive blooms of Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchids have evolved extraordinary strategies for pollination, including mimicry, deception, and intricate partnerships with specific insects.
luxury, beauty, refinement, love
In the Victorian language of flowers, orchid means “Rare and delicate beauty”. Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants, over 28,000 species. The ancient Greeks associated them with virility (orchis means 'testicle' in Greek, for the shape of the root). Chinese scholars have cultivated orchids for over 3,000 years as symbols of refinement.
Did You Know?
Vanilla is an orchid, Vanilla planifolia. It's the only orchid that produces an edible fruit. Each vanilla flower must be hand-pollinated within 12 hours of opening, making vanilla one of the most labor-intensive crops in the world.
Tropical forests, cloud forests, and every continent except Antarctica
Orchid is native to Worldwide (tropical and subtropical). It naturally grows in tropical forests, cloud forests, and every continent except antarctica.
Scent Profile
“Varies wildly by species, from the rich vanilla of Vanilla planifolia to the powdery, cosmetic sweetness of many Phalaenopsis varieties.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameOrchidaceae
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- Native ToWorldwide (tropical and subtropical)
- Bloom SeasonYear-round
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants, over 28,000 species. The ancient Greeks associated them with virility (orchis means 'testicle' in Greek, for the shape of the root). Chinese scholars have cultivated orchids for over 3,000 years as symbols of refinement.