Monday, June 24, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
AMAZING ORCHIDS (by bidisha biswas).
"EARTH LAUGHS IN FLOWERS AND THERE ARE FLOWERS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE THEM"
The Orchidaceae are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful and often fragrant, commonly known as the orchid family.
The name comes from the Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the root. Carl Linnaeus classified the family as Orchidaceae. Orchid was introduced in 1845 by John Lindley in School Botany, due to an incorrect attempt to extract the Latin stem (orchis) from Orchidaceae.
The Greek myth of Orchis explains the origin of the plants. Orchis, the son of a nymph and a satyr, came upon a festival of Dionysus (Bacchus) in the forest. He drank too much, and attempted to rape a priestess of Dionysus. For his insult, he was torn apart by the Bacchanalians. His father prayed for him to be restored, but the gods instead changed him into a flower.
Here i present few ORCHIDS THAT LOOK LIKE ANIMALS.
1.Orchis simia
2. Dracula simia called as "The Monkey-Like Dracula,"
The name "Ophrys" derives from the Greek word ophrys, meaning "eyebrow", while the Latin specific epithet apifera refers to the bee-shaped lip.The bee orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae.
Ophrys apifera grows to a height of 15–50 centimetres (5.9–20 in). This hardy orchid develops small rosettes of leaves in autumn. They slowly continue to grow during winter. Basal leaves are ovate or oblong-lanceolate, upper leaves and bracts are ovate-lanceolate and sheathing. The plant blooms from mid-April to July producing a spike composed from one to twelve flowers. The flowers have large sepals, with a central green rib and their color varies from white to pink, while petals are short, pubescent, yellow to greenish. The labellum is trilobed, with two pronounced humps on the hairy lateral lobes, the median lobe is hairy and similar to the abdomen of a bee. It is quite variable in the pattern of coloration, but usually brownish-red with yellow markings. The gynostegium is at right angles, with an elongated apex.
4. Phalaenopsis- known as the Moth Orchid,
The generic name means "Phalaen[a]-like" and is probably a reference to the genus Phalaena, the name given by Carl Linnaeus to a group of large moths; the flowers of some species supposedly resemble moths in flight. For this reason, the species are sometimes called Moth orchids.
Most are epiphytic shade plants; a few are lithophytes. In the wild, some species grow below the canopies of moist and humid lowland forests, protected against direct sunlight; others grow in seasonally dry or cool environments. The species have adapted individually to these three habitats.
Possessing neither pseudobulbs nor rhizome, Phalaenopsis shows a monopodial growth habit: a single growing stem produces one or two alternate, thick, fleshy, elliptical leaves a year from the top while the older, basal leaves drop off at the same rate. If very healthy, a Phalaenopsis plant can have up to ten or more leaves. The inflorescence, either a raceme or panicle, appears from the stem between the leaves.
5. Habenaria radiata, the egret flower.
The white egret orchid (Habenaria radiata or Pecteilis radiata) goes by many names, including fringed orchid or crane orchid. The plant's avian-inspired monikers derive from the shape of its flower, which has a long, thin center wreathed by two wing-like fringes. Although it's something of a rare find, the white egret orchid adds an elegant ornamental touch to greenhouses and windowsills.
An upright, light green stalk with one or two tubular sheaths at its base and three-to-five spaced leaves supports the distinct flowers of the white egret orchid. The stark white flower itself features two large petals -- mimicking the tail of a bird -- from which a central, torpedo-shaped petal surrounded by two more fringed petals -- the body of the “bird” -- extends. Stems typically bloom with two or three flowers. At maturity, this slender plant reaches heights of about 7 to 15 inches.
The white egret orchid grows natively in Japan, Korea, China and Russia,
6. Caleana major, the Flying Duck Orchid.
This terrestrial plant features a remarkable flower, resembling a duck in flight. The flower is an attractant to insects, such as male sawflies which pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation
Caleana major is encountered as a terrestrial herb, up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. 2-4 flowers grow on the green stem. The single leaf, appears near the base of the stalk. It is usually prostrate, narrow-lanceolate, to 12 cm (5 in) long and 8 mm wide, often spotted. The flower is reddish-brown, 15 to 20 mm long. In rare cases, the flower can be greenish with dark spots.The plant is pollinated by insects. A sensitive strap is attached to the flower, which is triggered by vibration.
7. Peristeria elata
Dove Orchid or Holy Ghost Orchid
Peristeria elata is a species of orchid occurring from Central America to Ecuador and Venezuela. It is the type species of its genus.
"EARTH LAUGHS IN FLOWERS AND THERE ARE FLOWERS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE THEM"
The Orchidaceae are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful and often fragrant, commonly known as the orchid family.
The name comes from the Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the root. Carl Linnaeus classified the family as Orchidaceae. Orchid was introduced in 1845 by John Lindley in School Botany, due to an incorrect attempt to extract the Latin stem (orchis) from Orchidaceae.
The Greek myth of Orchis explains the origin of the plants. Orchis, the son of a nymph and a satyr, came upon a festival of Dionysus (Bacchus) in the forest. He drank too much, and attempted to rape a priestess of Dionysus. For his insult, he was torn apart by the Bacchanalians. His father prayed for him to be restored, but the gods instead changed him into a flower.
Here i present few ORCHIDS THAT LOOK LIKE ANIMALS.
1.Orchis simia
The Monkey orchid.
The Monkey orchid is a greyish pink to reddish species of the Orchis
genus. It gets its common name from its lobed lip which mimics the
general shape of a monkey's body. The species' range is Europe, the
Mediterranean, Russia, Asia Minor and Iran.
the flowers open in sequence, from those at the top
down to those at the bottom. The hood on the flower is pale pink, often
with attractive red streaks, and is spotted or veined red inside. But
the best reason for growing this is the bizarre, animated, monkey-like
growth, with red 'hands' and 'feet' which poke out of the hood making it
a big hit with children. It's best grown in a frost-free greenhouse
where it likes bright light and moderate watering over summer, but it
needs to be kept dry while dormant.
Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: Orchis
Species: simia
Plant type: Tender perennial
Flower colour: Pink
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Feature: Flowers
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained/light, Moist
Hardiness: Tender
Skill level: Expert
Height: 45cm
Spread: 15cm
Genus: Orchis
Species: simia
Plant type: Tender perennial
Flower colour: Pink
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Feature: Flowers
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained/light, Moist
Hardiness: Tender
Skill level: Expert
Height: 45cm
Spread: 15cm
2. Dracula simia called as "The Monkey-Like Dracula,"
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Division: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Liliopsida |
| Order: Asparagales |
| Family:Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: Epidendreae |
| SubTribe: Pleurothallidinae |
| Genus: Dracula |
| Species: Drac. simia |
Dracula simia, called also
"The Monkey-Like Dracula," is an epiphytic orchid in the genus Dracula. The arrangement of column, petals and lip strongly resembles a monkey's face.
The plant blooms at any season with a single 5 cm successive flower. Flowers are fragrant with the scent of a ripe orange.
This gorgeously creepy orchid was named Dracula simia by the botanist Luer in 1978.Its scientific name is Dracula simia. Dracula, literally means 'little
dragon' referring to the strange aspect of the two long spurs of the two
long sepals,whereas the specific epithet simia translates to "monkey".
Up in the cloud mountains the Monkey Orchid can flower at any time - it is not season specific and it smells like a ripe orange.
3.
Ophrys apifera known as the bee orchid
| Kingdom: | Plantae | ||
| (unranked): | Angiosperms | ||
| (unranked): | Monocots | ||
| Order: | Asparagales | ||
| Family: | Orchidaceae | ||
| Genus: | Ophrys | ||
| Species: | O. apifera |
The name "Ophrys" derives from the Greek word ophrys, meaning "eyebrow", while the Latin specific epithet apifera refers to the bee-shaped lip.The bee orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae.
Ophrys apifera grows to a height of 15–50 centimetres (5.9–20 in). This hardy orchid develops small rosettes of leaves in autumn. They slowly continue to grow during winter. Basal leaves are ovate or oblong-lanceolate, upper leaves and bracts are ovate-lanceolate and sheathing. The plant blooms from mid-April to July producing a spike composed from one to twelve flowers. The flowers have large sepals, with a central green rib and their color varies from white to pink, while petals are short, pubescent, yellow to greenish. The labellum is trilobed, with two pronounced humps on the hairy lateral lobes, the median lobe is hairy and similar to the abdomen of a bee. It is quite variable in the pattern of coloration, but usually brownish-red with yellow markings. The gynostegium is at right angles, with an elongated apex.
4. Phalaenopsis- known as the Moth Orchid,
The generic name means "Phalaen[a]-like" and is probably a reference to the genus Phalaena, the name given by Carl Linnaeus to a group of large moths; the flowers of some species supposedly resemble moths in flight. For this reason, the species are sometimes called Moth orchids.
Most are epiphytic shade plants; a few are lithophytes. In the wild, some species grow below the canopies of moist and humid lowland forests, protected against direct sunlight; others grow in seasonally dry or cool environments. The species have adapted individually to these three habitats.
Possessing neither pseudobulbs nor rhizome, Phalaenopsis shows a monopodial growth habit: a single growing stem produces one or two alternate, thick, fleshy, elliptical leaves a year from the top while the older, basal leaves drop off at the same rate. If very healthy, a Phalaenopsis plant can have up to ten or more leaves. The inflorescence, either a raceme or panicle, appears from the stem between the leaves.
5. Habenaria radiata, the egret flower.
The white egret orchid (Habenaria radiata or Pecteilis radiata) goes by many names, including fringed orchid or crane orchid. The plant's avian-inspired monikers derive from the shape of its flower, which has a long, thin center wreathed by two wing-like fringes. Although it's something of a rare find, the white egret orchid adds an elegant ornamental touch to greenhouses and windowsills.
An upright, light green stalk with one or two tubular sheaths at its base and three-to-five spaced leaves supports the distinct flowers of the white egret orchid. The stark white flower itself features two large petals -- mimicking the tail of a bird -- from which a central, torpedo-shaped petal surrounded by two more fringed petals -- the body of the “bird” -- extends. Stems typically bloom with two or three flowers. At maturity, this slender plant reaches heights of about 7 to 15 inches.
The white egret orchid grows natively in Japan, Korea, China and Russia,
6. Caleana major, the Flying Duck Orchid.
This terrestrial plant features a remarkable flower, resembling a duck in flight. The flower is an attractant to insects, such as male sawflies which pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation
Caleana major is encountered as a terrestrial herb, up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. 2-4 flowers grow on the green stem. The single leaf, appears near the base of the stalk. It is usually prostrate, narrow-lanceolate, to 12 cm (5 in) long and 8 mm wide, often spotted. The flower is reddish-brown, 15 to 20 mm long. In rare cases, the flower can be greenish with dark spots.The plant is pollinated by insects. A sensitive strap is attached to the flower, which is triggered by vibration.
7. Peristeria elata
Dove Orchid or Holy Ghost Orchid
Peristeria elata is a species of orchid occurring from Central America to Ecuador and Venezuela. It is the type species of its genus.
it is found as an epiphytic plant on the trunks of trees covered with moss at elevation of about 1,100m.
It has ovoid pseudobulbs up to 12 cm high, elongated, not fat and with
four leaves that reach up to one meter of length and 15 cm of width,
folded. Flowers emerge from the base of the bulb and produce 4 to 12
flowers with an intense marble white color, with purple spots and the
anther and pistil are yellow. The central part of the flower is ornated with a well defined dove shape. Its perfume is similar to beer.
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