Order 112. Orchidece. 319 



ORDER 112. ORCHIDEJE. Orchids. 



Herbs, with simple quite entire leaves, either terrestrial with 

 tuberous roots and annual simple stem, or epiphytes with 

 perennial stems or branches thickened and shortened into a 

 bulb-like mass (pseudo- bulbs). Flowers bisexual, perianth 

 superior irregular with 6 segments arranged in two rows, the 

 three outer (sepals) more or less alike ; of the inner (petals) 

 the two lateral are alike, the lower (lip) quite different, often 

 large and lobed and provided with a spur at the base. The 

 stamens and style are united in a column which is opposite the 

 lip, and bears a single anther, free or adnate to it, with the 

 pollen in two or more solid masses (pollinia) ; ovary inferior, 

 usually linear and twisted, stigma a viscid surface on the top of 

 the column, below the anther ; fruit a capsule with 3 or 6 

 valves, containing many minute seeds. 



"The orchis family (which consists of about 5000 species), is 

 without question the most remarkable in the vegetable world. No 

 plants unfold blossoms of more fantastic beauty, of odours more 

 delicious, or of colours more vivid." Sowerby. 



To this it must be added that it is, at present, by far the most 

 fashionable of floral families among English people. 



The flowers of most, though not of all orchids, are so peculiar in 

 shape, mainly in regard to the lip and staminal column, as to be at 

 once recognizable. The twisted ovary might often be mistaken at 

 first sight for the pedicel of the flower. 



"In Mexico, where the language- of flowers is understood by all, the 

 Orchidese seem to compose nearly the entire alphabet. Not an infant 

 is baptized, not a marriage is celebrated, not a funeral obsequy per- 

 formed, at which the aid of these flowers is not called in by the 

 sentimental natives to assist the expression of their feelings. They 

 are offered by the devotee at the shrine of his favourite saint, by the 

 lover at the feet of his mistress, and by the sorrowing survivor at the 

 grave of his friend ; whether, in short, on fast days or feast days, on 

 occasions of rejoicing or in moments of distress, these flowers are 

 sought for with an avidity, which would seem to say that there was 

 no sympathy like theirs," JBateman (quoted in Contemporary 

 Review). 



The most obvious distinction between the various orchids is 

 into Epiphytes, or those which grow on trees, and terrestrial plants. 

 Epiphytes differ from parasites in not deriving their sustenance 

 from the tree or plant on which they grow, but mainly from the 

 air. They are found almost exclusively in the moister parts of the 

 tropics, while terrestrial orchids belong quite as much to the tem- 

 perate regions of the world. 



The genera of Orchideae are divided by H. into 5 tribes, of which the 



