AboutOrchids

Orchids are important symbols for many nations. The countries listed below have picked native orchids as national flowers, and proud emblems of their natural heritage. Many hold special meanings, often associated with important holidays. Some of these species are endangered, and their national status helps promote their conservation.

• Belize – The Black Orchid, Prosthechea cochleata, is actually dark purple (first photo below.)
• Brazil – Many Brazilians regard Cattleya labiata as their unofficial national flower, alongside the official flower of the Golden Trumpet Tree.
• Cayman Islands – The Wild Banana Orchid, Myrmecophila thomsoniana, grows on a few islands in the Caribbean.
• Costa Rica – Known locally as Guaria Morada, Guarianthe skinneri is in the Cattleya family.
• Colombia – The Christmas Orchid, Cattleya trianei, blooms in winter.
• Guatemala – Monja Blanca, or “White Nun,” is a white variety of the pink Lycaste skinneri (second photo below.)
• Honduras – Rhyncholaelia digbyana, known locally as Orquídea Brassavola, has been a popular Cattleya hybrid parent for over a century.
• Indonesia – The Moon Orchid, Phalaenopsis amabilis, is one of the country’s three national flowers.
• Panama – La Flor del Espíritu Santo, or “The Holy Ghost Orchid,” has ivory white blooms. Its scientific name is Peristeria elata.
• Philippines – Euanthe sanderiana from the Vanda family is being added to the Philippine’s list of national flowers.
• Seychelles – The Tropicbird Orchid, Angraecum eburneum, has a long nectar spur resembling the long tail of a Tropicbird.
• Singapore – Vanda Miss Joaquim is a hybrid between two Vanda species (third photo below.)
• Venezuela – Flor de Mayo, or “May Flower,” Cattleya mossiae, blooms in spring during Easter celebrations.

Explore posts in the same categories: Conservation, Misc, Photos, Warm Growers

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 28th, 2013 at 9:25 pm and is filed under Conservation, Misc, Photos, Warm Growers.

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