UNUSUAL ORCHID PLANTS AND RARITIES 
Pictured on this page are a few unusual orchid plants one seldom associates with orchids. Most people, 
when you mention orchids to them, think of the large, fine Cattleya orchids which we see chiefly in corsages. Yet, 
in the field of orchids we have over 600 genuses and around 25,000 variations. Many of these oddities have flowers 
not much larger than the head of a pin. Others have unique foliage or odd ways of flowering. 
In the trade we call these “botanicals” as their chief interest lies in their oddity. Many of the flowers are 
exquisite and unlike anything you have ever seen. I seldom list botanicals since they are chiefly “collector’s items.” 
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However, if you are interested in them, you can get a flying start with my “Jungle Collection.”’ The botanicals are 
hardier than most orchids, very simple to grow in the home, and the color variation is endless. Many are highly 
fragrant, and some come in brilliant red, pink, brown, yellow, spotted, green, maroon, cream, white, etc. Most of 
these make small flowers on long sprays, but here and there we find a few with a large flower. I am showing a 
few of these so that you may see how different than the usual cattleya foliage they are. 
Left is a Brassavola. Center and right are two Left is an Oncidium. Center is a Dendrobium 
different types of Oncidiums. and right is an Hpidendrum Radicans. 
Left is a Cymbidium. Center is another type Here are three kinds of Vandas. Left is a 
Oncidium, and right is the Vanilla Orchid Terete type. Center is semi-terete type and 
which grows as a vine. right is a strap leaf type. 
All Photos by Samuel L. Presner, P. O. Box 4550, Coral Gables, Florida 
