Smile of Earth- 29

Orchid flowers

Phalaenopsis species

Orchids are one of the oldest family of flowering plants. Orchid varieties have been found all over the world. This leads experts to believe that they have been around even before the continents separated!
Orchid plants are valued for their exquisitely beautiful flowers. Many of these flowers stay for months and this makes them good cut flowers and much cherished ornamental plants. The flowers are used in the preparation of perfumes and beauty products. Vanilla essence is extracted from a species of orchid, which is of high commercial value.
Orchids are considered as a symbol of love. These exotic blooms are also considered unrivalled symbol of luxury.
Orchids have the tiniest seeds in the world. A single seedpod can have up to 3 million seeds inside! The seeds are so small they can only be seen under a microscope.
My first two pictures show two varieties of Phalaenopsis species. The third picture is that of Crucifix orchid (Epidendrum ibaguense) and the last picture is that of Ground orchid (Spathoglottis plicata).

Phalaenopsis – another variety

Crucifix orchid

Ground orchid

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