Orchids
Orchids (Or-kids)
Orchids (pronounced: /ˈɔːrkɪdz/) are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. The Orchidaceae are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant, commonly known as the orchid family.
Etymology
The name comes from the Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the twin tubers in some species of Orchis. The term "orchid" was introduced in 1845 by John Lindley in School Botany, as a shortened form of Orchidaceae.
Description
Orchids are easily distinguishable from other plants, as they share some very evident shared derived characteristics, or "apomorphies". Among these are: bilateral symmetry of the flower (zygomorphism), many resupinate flowers, a nearly always highly modified petal (labellum), fused stamens and carpels, and extremely small seeds.
Classification
Orchids are classified in the family Orchidaceae, which is in the major group Angiosperms (Flowering plants). This family is further divided into five subfamilies: Apostasioideae, Cypripedioideae, Epidendroideae, Orchidoideae, and Vanilloideae.
Cultivation and uses
Orchids have many uses, from decoration to culinary applications. Some species are grown for their showy flowers, while others are used as food, such as the vanilla orchid (Vanilla).
Related terms
- Angiosperms: The major group to which Orchids belong.
- Orchidaceae: The family of Orchids.
- Vanilla: A genus of Orchids used for culinary purposes.
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