AboutOrchids

Minnesota’s Bemidji Pioneer reports on efforts to save native Lady’s Slippers from destruction. It’s a lot of work on behalf of a beautiful pink, white, and yellow orchid. Cypripedium reginae, or the Showy Lady’s Slipper, has been Minnesota’s state flower for over a century. Construction on Beltrami County Highway 39 could destroy the rare orchids [...]

The Nature Conservancy protects many vital orchid habitats. This nonprofit group began in 1951, and now works in all 50 US states and more than 35 countries. With over one million members, it’s one of the largest environmental groups in the world. By purchasing threatened lands, restoring native habitats, and fighting invasive species, the Nature [...]

The Philippines is ready to declare an orchid as its new national flower. Known in the local language as Waling-Waling, Euanthe sanderiana is a member of the Vanda family, and is often called “the Queen of Philippine flowers.” Since this beautiful orchid is endangered, its new status will enable the Philippines to take more conservation measures [...]

With today’s change of season, it seems appropriate to take an apocalyptic tone. While the latest end-of-the-world fad will pass with tomorrow’s sunrise, many plant and animal species are facing the real thing.  Climate change has begun, a danger not only to orchids, but to every species on the planet. Sadly, climate change is only [...]

The American Orchid Society (AOS) proudly offers their beautiful 2013 wall calendar. For just $14.95 ($13.50 for AOS members,) it’s easy to enjoy gorgeous orchids in constant bloom — no water, fertilizer, or repotting necessary. The 2013 AOS calendar has 14 months of orchids in the wild, and $2 from each calendar purchase funds conservation [...]

The Center for Biological Diversity fights for endangered species through petitions, science, media outreach, and legal actions. Based in Tucson, Arizona, the Center is a non-profit group with over 450,ooo members and online activists. Begun in 1989 with a focus on plants and animals of the American Southwest, it has now expanded to tackle global [...]

Project BudBurst invites you to give science a hand. Since 2007, volunteers have been helping to monitor the climate by recording the first leaves, flowers, and fruits of plant species across the USA. This includes native North American orchids. Scientists use Project BudBurst’s data to understand how climate change affects plant growth, and they make [...]

Many regular readers of this blog already know that, for me, heaven has an address. A short drive up from Hilo on the Big Island, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG) is an earthly paradise. In the natural greenhouse of Onomea Valley, HTBG offers meandering trails through a tropical rainforest. The flowers may look unreal, but [...]

The Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation works to save plant and animal biodiversity. Ceiba was founded in 1997 to preserve and restore ecosystems in Central and South America. With offices in Madison, Wisconsin, and Quito, Ecuador, the non-profit group supports community-based projects, sponsors scientific research, and provides public education.  Ceiba works with local communities to [...]

The American Orchid Society (AOS) is moving to Coral Gables. For years, the AOS has had a home and orchid garden in Delray Beach, Florida. The Great Recession has dealt a blow to the society’s finances, so they need to sell their property and move. Fortunately, they’ve found a new home at Fairchild Tropical Botanic [...]