Plants and Animals

How do orchids vary?

Link to this answer

CloseClose

Link to this answer

Share this credible answer with others. Simply paste this code into your blog or Web page:

<a href="http://qanda.encyclopedia.com/question/do-orchids-vary-104451.html" >How do orchids vary?</a>
E-mail this answer Link to this answer

... some 450 genera and an estimated 10,000 to 17,500 species... This family of monocotyledonous plants has evolved from prototypes of the lily and amaryllis family and is noteworthy for the wide variety of its highly specialized and curiously modified forms. Epiphytic types have a stem swollen at the base to form a pseudobulb (for food storage) and pendulous aerial roots adapted for water absorption and sometimes containing chlorophyll to make photosynthesis possible. In terrestrial types a symbiotic relationship often exists between the roots and filamentous fungi (mycorrhiza). Horticulturists have found that the presence of certain fungi is necessary for the germination of the minute seeds. Orchid pollen occurs as mealy or waxen lumps of tiny pollen grains, highly varied in form. The flowers characteristically consist of three petals and three petallike sepals, the central sepal modified into a conspicuous lip (labellum) specialized to secrete nectar that attracts insects. Most of the diverse forms of orchid flowers are apparently complicated adaptations for pollination by specific insects, ...

Answer verified with
Get more facts and information about orchid . Or, view the full encyclopedia entry from The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.

Similar questions: How are differing species of orchids different? How are do species of orchid vary? What are the differences between different species of orchids? What are the different kinds of orchids? [ Hide these questions ]

Related research questions

Related research articles

THIS WEEK; Tips for growing orchids at home.(HOME & GARDEN)
Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) 1/3 Even avid orchid growers probably...gardeners tend to over-do rather than under-do," said horticulturalist...Lane, "and with orchids, that's dangerous...requirements can vary, but in general, orchids should dry a bit...for many untimely orchid deaths. For most...
CAREFULLY CHOSEN ORCHID CAN OFFER LONG-LASTING BEAUTY.(Lifestyle)
Newspaper article from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA) ...fluctuations by standing the orchid above water-filled...cool humidifier. Some orchids do especially well in semi...potting mediums will vary from orchid to orchid. Orchids that...epiphytic). The former do well with a blend of...
The wing chair remains a good idea; CURRENT PRICES Current prices are recorded...
Newspaper article from: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ...sleeping chairs" were the last word in comfort for the well-to- do. Hard benches and wooden chair seats were customary. The idea...on the front. It's shaped like an old-fashioned radio. Do you know if it's old or valuable? A: Your Crosley model radio...
POLLEN CARRYOVER, GEITONOGAMY, AND THE EVOLUTION OF DECEPTIVE POLLINATION...
Magazine article from: Ecology ...sex function. Orchids with pollen packaged...rewards in many orchid species is a means...stigma was found to vary 30-80 s, depending on the orchid species. Since...nectar-producing orchids. This is corroborated...estimated 19 500 orchid species (Dressler...deceptive, i.e., do ...
Orchids trickster flowers.
Magazine article from: Odyssey ...Millions of Seeds Orchids don't just make...fungi infect the orchid seeds. Then the germinating orchids pull a switcheroo...Orchids and More While orchids share many common features, they also vary enormously. Vanilla...and patterns. Some orchid species grow on the...leaves. ...
See all results at HighBeam

HighBeam gives you access to newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles plus press releases, facts, information, and biographies from thousands of sources.