The Ohio State University
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| The orchid family is one of the largest and most diverse plant families with an estimated 25,000 species distributed worldwide. This number does not include the nearly 100,000 hybrids among this exceptionally cross-compatible family. Many species are epiphytic, meaning they grow above ground in trees and on other plants, but they are not parasites so they do not take any food from their host. Orchids are found in great abundance in the tropics, however, some species have been found in tundra, semi-desert areas and even arctic regions. |
 Cattleya hybrid |
 Brassia maculata hybrid |
The diversity of this family is evident in the range of flower form, color, size, and scent. It is the exotic beauty of the flowers which have made the orchids prized by the horticulturist and non-horticulturist alike. The flowers are incredibly specialized for pollination with some displaying insect mimicry, a feature which lures male insects into mating with the orchid and resulting in pollination. Other orchids attract pollinators through scent. Flies and gnats, attracted by the foul aroma of the dark colored flowers of some species, inadvertently pollinate as they search for food. Still other orchid species have hinged parts which will flutter to attract insect pollinators and trap doors which drop the insect into the flower entrapping it momentarily. |
| Pollinators include flies, butterflies and moths, bees and wasps, ants and even birds. Moth-pollinated orchids are usually white in color and fragrant only at night when the moths are active. Orange, red, pink, and yellow orchids will attract butterflies and often feature a larger petal acting as a "landing pad" for the incoming visitor. Bird-pollinated orchids offer nectar as an attractant. | |
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Another specialization of these fascinating plants is their ability to absorb and store water through an epidermal covering, called the velamen, on their roots. Since many are epiphytic, they are unable to obtain water from the soil. Instead, the velamen absorbs and holds water for the plant's roots to uptake. The velamen also serves as a protective covering for the roots. Many terrestrial orchids have tuber-like roots which store water. Orchids are commercially grown for the florist industry and are the source of vanilla flavoring. |
 Brassavola nodosa |
 Cryptanthus acaulis 'Ruber' |
The bromeliads, like many of the orchids, are largely epiphytic plants. The most familiar bromeliads are the pineapple and spanish moss. Bromeliads are native to tropical America and the West Indies and can be found growing everywhere from desert to mountain altitudes. Bromeliads are fairly easy to grow as they will thrive even in low light conditions. Often refered to as "air plants", they are able to survive out of the soil by collecting water in their vase-shaped leaves. Their ability to collect and hold water allows for some neglect in cultivation. |
| The flowers are relatively small but it is the colorful modified leaves, called bracts, which make the plant so attractive. The bracts are often brilliant hues of red, pink, orange and yellow, and form a stricking contrast to the deep green foliage. The colorful bracts will remain long after the flowers have bloomed. |
 Tillandsia cyanea |