Pictures of Flowers Orchid Pictures and Orchid Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 23, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Orchid Pictures and Orchid Kind

Orchid is the largest family of flowering plants that has as many as 25,000 species. Orchids include almost 6-11% of all seed plants. Apart from the existing and natural species, every year, more than 800 new and hybrid species are added. The family also includes the genus of vanilla plant. The plants occur in almost all the conditions and habitats aside from deserts and glaciers. Majority of the orchid species are found in the tropics, mostly in Asia, South and Central America. The plants are also found above the Arctic Circle in Southern Patagonia and even on Macquarie Island, close to Antarctica.

Most of the orchids are perennial epiphytes, which grow anchored to trees or shrubs in the tropics and subtropics. Other species are lithophytes, which grow on rocks or rocky soil or are terrestrial. Many of the orchids lack chlorophyll and thus are unable to carry out photosynthesis. Such species obtain energy and nutrients by parasitising soil fungi. All the species of orchids are perennial herbs and lack woody structure. The plants are well known for their diverse variety of flowers. Besides the ornamental uses in garden plants, orchid plants have extensive uses in medicines, food, flavoring agents, soft drinks and perfumes.