Orchid (Family Orchidaceae)

The Orchidaceae are a diverse and widespread family of flowering

plants commonly known as the orchid family. Orchids are one of

the largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and

26,049 currently accepted species, found in 880 genera. Orchid-

aceae are cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat apart

from glaciers. The world's richest concentration of orchid varieties

is found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central

America, but they are also found above the Arctic Circle, in south-

ern Patagonia.

The scent of orchids is frequently analyzed by perfumers to identify
potential fragrance chemicals. Orchids of all types have also often

been sought by collectors of both species and hybrids.

The dried seed pods of one orchid genus, Vanilla, are commercially

important as flavoring in baking, for perfume manufacture and aroma-

therapy.

Back to Inventory of Herb/Forb Families and Species