This slideshow shows 8 great things your didn't know about The beautiful and elegant Orchid. Orchids are one of the largest groups of species in the world, yet so little if commonly known about them. I hope you enjoy this slide show and learn a thing or two along the way!

1. 8 Things You Didn’t know about
Orchids
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2. There are twice as many Orchid
species as there are bird species
on earth. With over 20,000
species, Orchids are one of the
largest groups of species
recognized today.
8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #1

3. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #2
The word Orchid comes from the
Ancient Greek word for “testicle”.
This word was chosen because they
believe that Orchid psuedobulbs
look like testicles.

4. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #3
The Ancient Greek’s believed that
Orchids were directly linked to
fertility. Males that wanted a son
would eat large Orchid petals to
encourage a son. Females would
eat small Orchid petals to
encourage the birth of a daughter.

5. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #4
Charles Darwin, the evolutionist,
wrote a book about the fertilization
of Orchids. In his book, he released
his finding on the relationship
between flowers and insect using
Orchids as his study subject. His
discoveries triggered a massive
market for Orchids in Europe.

6. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #5
In the early 1900’s, companies
would fun expeditions to collect
exotic Orchids and bring them back
to Europe. Once they were brought
back, they would be sold at
auctions for insane prices. This
rapidly made Orchids a sign of the
right and wealthy.

7. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #6
Before Orchid care was readily available, the
wealth were the only ones who could afford to
own Orchids. After paying ridiculous prices to
acquire the flowers, they would set up small
buildings to provide the best growing conditions
for that species. Owners that brought their
recently purchased Orchid home and plopped in
of the table next to another houseplant were
quickly disappointed.

8. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #7
Orchids are one of the few plants that
have sole pollinators. Most Orchid
species are only pollinated by a single
Orchid species, makes pollination less
frequent. They make up for this by
producing massive amounts of seeds
when they are pollinated.

9. 8 Things You Didn’t know about Orchids #8
The shaped and size of the flower directly
relates to the insects that are able to pollinate
that species. With most species, the insect
must by small enough to get into the tubular
flower but big enough to escape. Once they
get into the trap in search of nectar, they
need to be strong enough to shake
themselves loose from the sticky walls.

10. Resources:
Orchid Origin