In honour of our newest display at The Leaf, we’re diving into the world of orchids - learning more about how they grow, where you can find them, and more!
Basics: Orchids (Orchidaceae) are the second largest family of plants, with over 29,000 accepted types of species worldwide! Even though there are so many different types of orchids, they share similar characteristics, including being a symmetrical flower that blooms and having very small seeds (a single seedpod can have up to three million seeds inside!) Each orchid species has adapted to its environment in unique ways, such as depending on specific local fungi to germinate and flourish and evolving their shapes, colours, and scents to attract specific pollinators. Orchids can be as small as a dime and as big as 25 feet high!
Habitat: They are cosmopolitan plants, meaning they grow worldwide. For orchids, they are in almost every habitat on Earth except for glaciers. In Manitoba, there are around 40 different species and subspecies of native orchids!
Use of Plant: One of the main sources we get vanilla from is the vanilla orchid! Orchids are also used in a variety of ways in Asian and South American countries, including as a medicine for sickness and boils and as a food supplement.
Fun Facts about Orchids
- Orchids are the second oldest group of plants, dating so far back that they were most likely on Earth around the time of the dinosaurs!
- The green Cymbidium orchid symbolizes good health, long life, strength, and prosperity.
- One example of how orchids have evolved to entice insects to pollinate with them is Ophrys apifera, the bee orchid. They use floral mimicry by having furry petals that look like bees, so an unsuspecting male bee is intrigued to visit and pollinates with the flower.
Discover more about this amazing plant at Blooms in Winter: An Orchid Celebration at The Leaf, on until March 23, 2025.