AboutOrchids

Dave and I first enjoyed a visit to Vallarta Botanical Garden five years ago. We had the privilege to return earlier this month, and we were once again thrilled by the superb gardens and plentiful orchids. I’ll start with a post dedicated to their orchids, but be sure the check back soon for more flora […]

Ghost Orchids are making a comeback in South Florida. These beautiful, rare, leafless orchids are being saved through intensive conservation efforts by scientists who cultivate seeds in the lab, and then return the plants to the wild.

Sad news from Scientific American and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: their update of 25 possibly extinct species includes a dozen orchids from Madagascar. Many of these species have not been seen for decades, and their native habitats have been destroyed.

NPR reports that American and Cuban scientists are working to bring back some of Florida’s native orchids. Listen to the story below–

Angraecoids are a family of fascinating and fragrant orchids, and the Angraecoid Alliance is a group dedicated to their cultivation and conservation. These orchids are native to tropical Africa, especially Madagascar, and Indian Ocean islands. Many have gleaming white flowers, scentless during the day, but with rich scents at night. Sadly, many are endangered due […]

For over a century, orchid growers have hybridized Lady Slippers to create countless new varieties. Now, the most important Paph hybrids have been identified by orchid experts. Each of these historic crosses has its own legacy, and many contribute their prized genes to modern hybrids sold today. This decade-by-decade list was assembled as part of […]

Tennessee officials are trying to save a rare, indigenous orchid species. The White Fringeless Orchid is hanging in the balance as government officials weigh its fate. Native to the Southeastern USA, this species is endangered by habitat loss and illegal poaching of wild plants. Its scientific name is Platanthera integrilabia, and it grows in wooded […]

Great news! The Orchid Conservation Alliance (OCA) has exceeded its fundraising goal to create a new nature reserve in Ecuador. On the slopes of the Andes, the Chocó rainforest is a biological hotspot. It’s home to 5% of all orchid species on earth, including many rare and fascinating Draculas. Together with the Rainforest Trust and Fundación EcoMinga, […]

The illegal plant trade endangers many rare plant species, and orchids are prime targets. International agreements prohibit this trade, so what happens when illegally trafficked plants are found and confiscated? The BBC reports that species seized in the USA become property of the government, which places them in a rescue program. Many of the plants […]

London’s Natural History Museum needs your help. The museum has started an Orchid Observers citizen science project, and it’s looking for volunteers to help study how climate change is affecting native British orchids. Scientists have already found that some species have been blooming earlier, consistent with warmer springtime temperatures. At Orchid Observers, you can choose […]