The most important features at a glance

Systematics and habitus at a glance

When dinosaurs still colonized the earth 65 to 80 million years ago, the Evolution of the orchids their beginning. As early as 500 BC, the first writings dealt more closely with the unique plants from tropical regions. Orchids have lost none of their fascination to this day. On the contrary, beauties like Phalaenopsis are Dendrobium or Vanda as popular houseplants. The following profile sheds light on the exciting attributes:

• Orchid family (Orchidaceae)
• More than 1,000 genera with around 30,000 species and countless hybrids
• Mainly native to the rainforests of tropical regions
• Growth: epiphytes on trees, epiphytes on rocks (lithophytic), in soil (terrestrial)
• Heights of a few millimeters (Bulbophyllum) up to several meters (Vanilla)
• Rhizome, Bulbs or pseudobulbs as storage organs
• Diverse flower shapes with a diameter of up to 30 cm
• Flowering times from 1 day to several months
• Lush green, leathery to fleshy leaves with a smooth edge

Although 9 out of 10 orchids come from tropical countries, some species are still in Germany native. These include orchids, stendellum and forest hyacinths, which we can encounter on our hikes. The yellow lady's slipper orchid, which is the only Cypripedium species able to assert itself in the Central European climate, creates an exotic blossom flair in German forests.

Mushrooms and orchids - a wonderful symbiosis

The microscopic seeds of orchids do not have nutrient tissue, as is standard with other plant seeds. In order for the tiny embryos to survive, they depend on a symbiosis with nurse mushrooms. By penetrating a seed, the fungal spores ensure the germination and supply of the seedlings. This process takes many years. So it is not uncommon for seedlings to bloom for the first time after 15 years.