Vanilla has been in the news a lot lately, with skyrocketing prices contributing to crime problems in Madagascar. The BBC delves into the story, and explains what happens when vanilla costs almost as much as silver.
Check out 11 orchid flowers that look like animals, including humans, at Looseferspeaks.com. Bee Orchids, Monkey Orchids, and Flying Duck Orchids earn their names honestly. There are also Moth Orchids, Dancing Lady Orchids, and more. They all appear to stretch the definition of what a flower can be.
National Geographic reports alarming news about the disappearance of wild orchids. Many species are disappearing from their native habitats because wild plants are being poached. In fact, illegal traffickers are so good at hunting rare orchids that scientists often discover new species for sale in a market before finding them in the wild. Some varieties are […]
Madagascar is the home of so many fascinating plants and animals, and scientists have discovered even more orchids. Ten new Cynorkis species have been found in a remote area of northern Madagascar, including one with a champagne fragrance. Check out the story and great photos at The English Garden.
Chinese scientists have studied an orchid’s genetics to learn the secrets of its success. They’ve sequenced the genes of the species Apostasia shenzhenica, which is an early offshoot of the orchid family tree. Their study shows that important orchid traits, like massed pollen, tiny seeds, and the ability to live as air plants, emerged at […]
Duck Orchids, Bluebeard Orchids, Helmet Orchids, and more! Victoria, Australia’s weird and wonderful orchids are highlighted in this article with a great photo gallery. To learn more about fascinating flora down under, check out the Australasian Native Orchid Society.
Its flowers resemble maggot-infested meat, and its scent has been compared to “a thousand dead elephants rotting in the sun.” Meet the orchid species Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, which attracts carrion flies as pollinators.
Enjoy this beautiful National Geographic article with expert photography advice. Photojournalist Christian Ziegler, whose work includes Deceptive Beauties: The World of Wild Orchids, shares tips for taking great pictures. Don’t miss the photo gallery with his stunning orchid shots.
New orchid species are discovered all the time. One of the latest, a tiny Podochilus species from Vietnam, adds to the tens of thousands already known to science.
The New York Times reports on one of New York City’s hidden jewels, a native orchid species called the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain. This remarkable jewel orchid keeps its leaves over winter. Despite many threats, a few still survive in the city’s green patches.
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