Orchidaceae

English: Orchid family
Dutch: Orchideeënfamilie

The Orchidaceae is one of the largest plant families, comprising about 880 genera and 28,000 species. They are distributed worldwide, with the greatest diversity in tropical regions, but many species occur in temperate zones including Northern Europe. Orchids are highly specialized for specific pollinators.

Key Identifying Features

• Flowers: Highly specialized, bilaterally symmetrical with 3 sepals and 3 petals (one modified into a lip/labellum)
• Column: Fused stamens and pistil forming a distinctive structure
• Fruits: Capsules containing thousands of tiny, dust-like seeds
• Roots: Often with mycorrhizal associations; some species have aerial roots

Parent: Plantae