Orchid

To the Ancient Greeks, the orchid represented virility. To the Victorians, they became a symbol of luxury, as the rich would decorate their front yards with these plants. Today orchids symbolise elegance and beauty, due to their simple yet beautiful formation.

Orchids are largest family of flowering plants with an estimated 22,000 species occurring across the world. Orchids can be found growing naturally in every continent across the world, with the exception of Antarctica. Many people think orchids are a tropical plant which will only grow under certain circumstance, while this is true of many species of orchid, there are several varieties which will flourish in difficult environments. There are even two species native to Australia which grow underground, only the tips of the petals breaking through the soil.

The exact origin of the orchid is unknown. Fossil records suggest that the first occurrences of the plant date back as far as 65 million years, however this fact is under dispute.

Several species of tropical orchid are currently endangered. Most of these plants can only be pollinated with the help of a particular insect or plant. When eco-systems are disturbed and the insect or bird is displaced then the flower species dies.

The exotic nature and elegant formation of the orchid makes them a perfect gift. Orchids are currently popular as a wedding flower. They promise a good vase life as long as the water is changed regularly.