ORCHIDS

Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae, a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful and fragrant. The word orchid is derived from the Greek word Orchis for testicle because of the shape of the root tubers in some species of the genus Orchis. These non woody perennial plants are generally terrestrial or epiphytic herbs (growing on other plants rather than rooted in soil). Those attached to other plants are often are vine like and have a spongy root covering called the velamen that absorbs water from the surrounding air. Most species manufacture their own food but some live on dead organic material or are helped to obtain nourishment by a fungus living in their roots.

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