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ince orchids became popularized during the 19th century, botanists have hybridized more than 100,000 new
types of orchids, spanning every color and form known to the human imagination. But their diversity did
not begin there. Beginning in prehistoric times, an estimated 76 to 84 million years ago (according to British
botanist Mark W. Chase in a paper he published in 2001), it is thought the orchid family—taxonomically
known as Orchidaceae—began to claim its crown as one of the two most dominant types of plants found on
this planet today. Accounting for a whopping 6 percent to 11 percent of all seeded plants on Earth, these celebrated
flowers typically thrive in tropical climates, but they also appear as native plants in regions as far north as Alaska, with
hardy genera such as the terrestrial orchid, Goodyera oblongifolia, which is commonly known as rattlesnake plantain.
Culturally, orchids have long been prized by humans not only for their otherworldly beauty but also for their spiritual
significance and edible qualities. Ancient Greeks believed orchids possessed aphrodisiac qualities while the ancient
Chinese prized them as healing tools capable of treating violent coughing fits. In Turkey, orchid tubers from the genus
Orchis are powdered and turned into a tasty wintertime drink called "salep," and in Tanzania, the roots of a now-
endangered terrestrial orchid have long been prized for their rich meat-like flavor.
e practice of enjoying orchids as cut flowers and houseplants is a comparatively new phenomenon dating back to
the publishing of the first edition of e Orchid Grower's Manual in 1851, by B.S. Williams. Prior to the publishing of
this book, Western interest in orchids enticed many travelers and explorers to brave grave danger to collect samples
of plants that would fetch large sums of money when trafficked to Europe. Today, this practice is banned under the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). ankfully, in this modern
age, have we perfected the successful cultivation of many genera, species and varieties of orchids for both cut flower
and indoor plant enjoyment.
Gallup & Stribling Cattleya orchids
