From Tiny to Huge, Orchids Offer Endless Variety

With more than 25,000 species, orchids offer endless variety in color, form and size. Some orchids are dull-colored and difficult to find. They hide in the leaf litter of jungle floors or cling to the upper stories of tall trees and are often overlooked by those unaware of their presence. Other orchid species, like Phalaenopsis orchids, are brilliantly colored and command instant attention. One of the most popular orchid species, Just Add Ice Phalaenopsis orchids have brilliantly colored petals, the orchid’s throat often providing a stunning color contrast to the plant’s brightly-hued petals. Like Just Add Ice Orchids, many orchid species come in a breathtaking array of colors and petal markings, their variety making them a favorite with orchid collectors.

The tremendous variation in the orchid family is illustrated by its smallest and largest members:

• Smallest orchid. What is believed to be the world’s tiniest orchid is about the size of a sesame seed. Discovered in Ecuador in 2009, the orchid is of the Platystele genus and may represent a new orchid species once scientists complete their study. With translucent petals that are just 1 cell thick, the fragile orchid is only 0.08 inch (2 millimeters) across. It was discovered accidentally, tucked among the roots of another plant. (Click here to see a photo of the new Platystele orchid.)
• Biggest orchid. The world’s largest orchid species is the Grammatophyllum speciosum, meaning, not surprisingly, “giant orchid.” This gigantic orchid can grow to a height of 10 feet and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds (that’s 1 ton!). The plant is native to the steamy jungles of Malaysia, Sumatra, the Philippines, Papua, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In the wild, a single mature plant of this mammoth beauty is said to be able to produce as many as 10,000 flowers. (Click here to see a photo of Grammatophyllum speciosum.)

Photo by: orchidgalore