The Orchidaceae /ɔːrkɪˈdeɪʃiː/ are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant, commonly known as the orchid family. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering plants. The Orchidaceae have about 28,000 currently accepted species, distributed in about 763 genera. Orchids are easily distinguished from other plants, as they share some very evident, shared derived characteristics, or synapomorphies. Among these are: bilateral symmetry of the flower (zygomorphism), many resupinate flowers, a nearly always highly modified petal (labellum), fused stamens and carpels, and extremely small seeds. All orchids are perennial herbs that lack any permanent woody structure. Learn more about Orchid
View all family groups for: Plant
Orchid Species Videos
View All Orchid Videos
Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
Blue Orchid (0 videos) | Vanda coerulea | Not Available |
Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid ( videos) | Dactylorhiza majalis | Not Available |
Giant Orchid (2 videos) | Pteroglossaspis ecristata | Not Available |
Lady's Slipper Orchid ( videos) | Cypripedium calceolus | Not Available |
Lady's-slipper Orchid (34 videos) | Cypripedium acaule | Not Available |
Malaysian Orchid (1 videos) | Scaphyglottis modesta | Not Available |
Marsh Orchid ( videos) | Epipactis palustris | Not Available |