A distressing study of Asian orchid species reports that many are threatened with extinction. Habitat destruction, deforestation, and illegal sales of wild plants are destroying these beauties. The Center for International Forestry Research in Indonesia inspected Thai flower markets, and found hundreds of endangered species for sale. Even though it’s illegal to sell these plants […]
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is the world’s largest plant conservation network, and it’s trying to save the planet’s plants. Based at Kew in London, the group’s membership includes over 800 botanic gardens from 118 countries. These gardens work together to share info, battle climate change, educate the public about the environment, and coordinate protection […]
Help the Orchid Conservation Alliance save Dracula orchids! A few months ago, I blogged about work to preserve a piece of the Chocó rainforest in Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse places in the world. A new nature reserve there could save 5% of all orchid species on earth, including many rare and fascinating Draculas. […]
Have you found an orchid growing in the wild, but can’t identify it? Go Orchids is an excellent online tool to learn about varieties native to the USA and Canada. Courtesy of the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC,) Go Orchids lets you search by location, by name, or by a series of botanical questions. Their online […]
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity, encourage sustainability, halt deforestation, and stop environmental destruction. With programs in over 100 countries, the Rainforest Alliance takes the approach “that the health of the land is inextricably connected to the wellbeing of those who depend on it for their livelihoods.” To these ends, the group fights climate […]
Dracula orchids may have a haunting side, but these fascinating Masdevallia relatives need your help. Newly discovered Dracula species in Ecuador are threatened by deforestation. Conservation groups are attempting to create a new nature sanctuary in northwestern Ecuador, to be named the Dracula Orchid Reserve. Rainforest Trust and Fundación EcoMinga want to save part of […]
A newly discovered Dendrobium species has been named to honor Jane Goodall. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to nature conservation and animal welfare, Dutch scientists dubbed the new orchid Dendrobium goodallianum. The new species is native to New Guinea. Its flowers last only one day, and they smell like coconut. New orchid species are […]
In the verdant Manoa Valley above Honolulu, Lyon Arboretum boasts a rainforest full of botanical treasures. Over 5000 plant varieties fill almost 200 acres (81 hectares) of jungle. There aren’t many orchids, but there are many other incredible tropical flowers and gorgeous views. Almost a century ago, the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association set this land […]
Joining your local orchid society is one of the best ways to learn about orchids. Let’s say you’re a novice, and you’ve already discovered the treasure trove of basic orchid info here at AboutOrchids. Your local orchid society can help you build on that knowledge. The people you meet will share your love of orchids, […]
The Million Orchid Project aims to restore Florida’s endangered native orchids. Scientists and volunteers at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden are tackling this ambitious plan. The famous Ghost Orchid is just one of Florida’s threatened species. Like other native orchids, it has become rare due to habitat destruction and illegal poaching. The Million Orchid Project wants […]
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