Orchidaceae

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Orchidaceae

Orchidaceae (pronounced /ɔːrˈkɪdiːsiː/), commonly known as the orchid family, is a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant.

Etymology

The name Orchidaceae comes from the genus Orchis. The word orchis is derived from the Ancient Greek word ὄρχις (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the twin tubers in some species of Orchis. The term "orchid" was introduced in 1845 by John Lindley in School Botany.

Description

Orchidaceae are herbaceous plants, which means they have a green, non-woody stem. They are perennial and can be found in a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to arctic tundra. The family includes both epiphytes, which grow on other plants, and terrestrial species, which grow in the ground.

Related Terms

  • Epiphyte: A plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic, such as the numerous species of orchids growing on tree trunks in tropical rainforests.
  • Terrestrial: A term used to describe organisms that live on or in the ground, as opposed to in water or air.
  • Herbaceous: Describes a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level.
  • Perennial: A plant that lives for more than two years. It returns and blooms year after year.

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