An orchid is a magnificent flower that is present in the collection of every self-respecting grower. However, not everyone knows that this plant is wild and has about 45,000 species growing in natural conditions. It is one of the most ancient flowers, which moved to home pots only after human intervention.
And yet, although orchids are found at different latitudes, their best varieties inhabit the stuffy, humid forests of river valleys and impassable mountain thickets of Central America, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. Their more inconspicuous sisters from temperate zones are land plants, the majority of tropical plants are epiphytes.
Accepted classification
American botanist Dressler has developed a modern classification of orchids. In it lead 5 main subfamilies, which in turn consist of genera and a huge number of species.
Primitive apostasy
It consists of two main kinds (nevidiya and apostasy) and 16 species. The perennial flower looks like a small herbaceous plant dotted with small yellow flowers.
Common Cypripedia
The subfamily of Cypridiaceae includes 5 genera and 130 species. They are epiphytic, rock and ground grasses. The most famous form of Cypripedian Orchids - "Lady's Slipper". Half a dozen of its varieties grow in Russia.
Fragrant Vanilla
The vanilla subfamily contains 15 genera and 180 plant species, growing on the African continent in tropical forests, South and Central America, and Asian countries. By sight ordinary vine, but with the presence of a large number of flowers.
Vanilla orchids in their fruits contain vanillin, which is widely used in the perfumery and pharmacological industry, cooking.
A variety of epidemic
The largest orchid subfamily is the epidemic.. It consists of about five hundred genera and more than 20 thousand plant species.
In the subfamily of the epidemic there are two remarkable orchids: Dactylotalix and Cattleya. The first distinguished by its rarity, was listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. The second was the owner of beautiful, large and very fragrant inflorescences.
Ubiquitous Orchid
The hawk subfamily or orchid includes more than 205 genera and 4 thousand species. These are perennial plants with an erect stem and growing on the ground. Orchid orchids grow on all continents with the exception of Antarctica.
What colors are there?
Among the most common are:
- the black;
- blue;
- blue;
- yellow;
- red;
- Violet;
- white;
- pink.
Flowers can be monophonic and consist of several colors or shades.. For example, Tiger Orchid. Its inflorescences have yellow buds with fiery bright or dark brown stripes.
Splendor and luxury symbiosis of natural flowers and trees in the photo
Demonstration of all kinds is simply impossible, but the most spectacular photos should be found:
Where do they grow?
Elegant orchids can be found in almost any climate zone on Earth.. However, most species are concentrated in tropical areas.
Places where these flowers are most often found can be divided into four zones:
- South and Central America, the coast of Africa. High humidity and temperature have a positive effect on plants. These areas are inhabited by epiphytic orchids, which are located high in the trees. This option location due to a sufficient amount of moisture and good ventilation of the root system.
- Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazilian mountains, New Guinea, the slopes of the Andes. These mountain regions have also chosen epiphytes, which grow on rocks and local flora. If we compare this zone with the first one, then the temperature here is significantly lower, but the humidity of the air is almost identical. The “mountain” zone is considered the most comfortable, since most of the members of this family grow on it.
- Steppes and plateaus. This area can not be called comfortable for orchids, but they are still there. On the steppe expanses grow epiphytes and orchids, rooting in the soil.
- Temperate climate. This natural area is inhabited by few members of the orchid family. Only terrestrial species grow.
Life cycle
Despite the large number of species of these flowers, their life expectancy is almost the same. On average, the plant lives in nature 60-80 years.
There are also long-livers who, under certain conditions, have reached the age of 100 years or more. Wild orchids adapt well to changes in temperature and are not afraid of direct sunlight..
Long before the appearance of selective home orchids, the ancient Japanese grew wild orchids at home. These flowers are very revered. And due to their long lifespan, they were even inherited.
All about the differences between wild and domestic species
All homemade orchids are breeding hybrids.. Natural plants need specific conditions, which is practically impossible to achieve in an apartment. Fans of these flowers tried to create a climate close to tropical by increasing the humidity in the room. Over time, breeding species capable of growing in a dry climate were developed.
House flowers are perennial, but their lifespan is limited to 8-9 years. They have a lush flowering that continues in a number of species almost all year round. Wild plants only bloom in the summer.
Wild orchids number tens of thousands of species.Each of them is individually beautiful and not inferior to domesticated hybrids. Most representatives are fascinated by the shape of the bud and the color combination of the inflorescence. Some have hypnotically pleasant scents. All these parameters make orchids one of the most exquisite representatives of the Earth’s flora.
