Orchids with the Easiest Names

Moth Orchids, Lady Slippers, and Pansy Orchids have easy common names, but most orchids don’t. They have their Latin names, which can be daunting. Understandably, many people are intimidated by long, scientific words. Fortunately, not all of them are difficult. Check out this list of 10 orchids with Latin names that you don’t have to stumble over.

Ada – This genus has been renamed as Brassia, which is also included in this post. Some are cool growers, like the brilliant orange Ada pictured below.
Bletilla – Bletillas, or Chinese Ground Orchids, are good garden plants. They can be grown as tender bulbs in rich soil.
Brassia – With long petals, Spider Orchids come in a variety of species and hybrids.

Ada aurantiaca 'Valencia', Brassia aurantiaca, orchid species flowers, orange flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2009, San Francisco, CaliforniaBletilla striata, orchid species flower, peloric flower, Chinese Ground Orchid, purple flower, 白芨, Peninsula Orchid Society Show 2024, San Mateo, CaliforniaBrassia orchid hybrid flowers, Spider Orchid, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Eria – These Dendrobium relatives aren’t common in cultivation. They can be very striking, like the white blooms below.
Ida – This is another uncommon genus. Idas can be large plants with big flowers, including dazzling green ones.
Laelia – Members of the Cattleya family, many feature elegant blossoms with bold colors, like Laelia anceps, Laelia gouldiana, and the purple hybrid pictured below.

Eria coronaria, orchid species flowers, grown indoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaIda locusta, AKA Sudamerlycaste locusta, orchid species flower, green flower, Pacific Orchid Expo 2019, San Francisco, CaliforniaLaelia Pacavia x Laelia purpurata, orchid hybrid flower, purple and burgundy flower, San Francisco Orchid Society meeting, California
Mexicoa – These charming Oncidium relatives have a lemony fragrance. As their name suggests, they’re native to Mexico.
Thunia – Fascinating Himalayan orchids, Thunias look like corn stalks with big, showy flowers dangling from the top.
Vanda – Emblematic of the tropics, Vandas come in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
Vanilla – Vanilla vines are fairly easy to grow, but challenging to bloom outside the tropics. Many forms sport variegated leaves.

Mexicoa ghiesbreghtiana, AKA Oncidium ghiesbreghtianum, orchid species flower, grown indoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaThunia alba, orchid species flowers and leaves, grown indoor in Pacifica, CaliforniaVanilla planifolia, orchid species flower, Botanical Garden of the Univ. of Zurich, Switzerland

Explore posts in the same categories: Misc, Orchid Names, Photos

Subscribe to the About Orchids Blog:
AddThis Feed Button

Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.