Orchid

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The orchid is a perennial herbaceous plant of family Orchidaceae. The family is one of the largest among flowering plants, represented by 735 genera and 20 000 species worldwide. The genera hybridize readily. Most orchids are tropical and epiphytic (ie, grow in moss and debris on tree branches), but the 17 genera and 63 species native to Canada are terrestrial. Orchids are found throughout Canada. Some are arctic, eg, Habenaria albida and H. hyperborea; most grow in moist, wooded areas, eg, Cypripedium, LADY'S SLIPPER, which has large, striking flowers varying from white through yellow to pink.

Calypso bulbosa has similar but smaller, delicate pink flowers. Some Spiranthes and Habenaria species have small, whitish, fragrant flowers in a spike. Two genera, Eburophyton (plant is white) and Corallorhiza (plant is yellow to purple), live on decaying vegetable matter. Attempts to transplant orchids from the wild usually result in the plants' death. Orchids are recognized internationally as endangered species, and trade in wild orchids is prohibited.

Lady's Slipper
Lady's Slipper
One of 63 species of orchid native to Canada (artwork by Claire Tremblay).
Insect Pollination
Insect Pollination
Insect pollination of orchards and other crops is worth $1 billion per year and as well sets seed for thousands of wild plant species (photo by Don E. McAllister).

Author PATRICK SEYMOUR


Links to Other Sites
The Plant List
Search this online database for information about one million plant species from around the world. Also, click on "major plant groups" at the bottom of the page to browse descriptions of species of interest. Fungi and algae are excluded. From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the US.

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