The Final Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Glossary from T to Z

It seems we’ve finally reached the end of our journey through  orchid terminology from the American Orchid Society’s glossary. They’ve supplied us with orchid terms for the letters “T” through “V”, which we’ve augmented with some additional links for more in-depth explanations. But we turned to another glossary for the letters W, X, Y and Z. 

Terrestrial- Growing on the ground and supported by soil.

• From the Latin terrestris, from terra, or earth

Tetraploid- A plant with four sets of chromosomes. A normal plant is diploid with two sets of chromosomes. Most modern complex orchids hybrids are tetraploid. Compared to diploids, tetraploids general have larger, fuller and heavier substanced flowers.

• For a photo and more info, read this article from the Central Ohio Orchid Society Newsletter.

Tissue Culture- The technique of culturing cells on a sterile synthetic media. There are two general methods use to propagate plants -- micropropagation and adventitious propagation.

• See micropropagation under stem propagation above, and for adventitious propagation,  go to Wikipedia’s page on Adventitiousness     

Velamen- The thick sponge-like covering of the roots of epiphytic orchids which helps prevent water loss and aids in absorption.

Virus- A type of infectious agent, much smaller than common microorganisms, several forms of which affect certain kinds of orchids.

Whorl- arranged in a circular pattern

Wings- extensions of the lip that are winglike

Wooly- fine hair texture

Xerophyte- A plant that is adapted to a very dry, arid climate

Xerophytic- drought resistant through adaptation

Zygomorphic- bilaterally symmetrical with only a single plant that can be divided into two equal halves

• All orchids are zygomorphic.