Orchid Mania
Alexia Rossetti Friday, March 12, 2010 at 9:28AM Ever since I've read Susan Orlean's Orchid Thief, I've been intrigued, almost obsessed, by that exotic plant, the orchid. The Victorians even have a name for this unique obsession: Orchidelirium.
Susan Orlean follows the lives of orchid hunters who go to great lengths to add to their orchid collection, including that of the infamous orchid thief, John Laroche. These hunters trek deep into the jungles of South America, Asia, and the Everglades to seek out their treasures.
For those who can't travel that far, the New York Botanical Garden is offering to orchid afficionados the annual Orchid Show in their Haupt Conservatory.
There are over 60,000 different species of orchids and even more of hybrids. The main types of orchids are vandas; paphiopedilums, popularly known as slipper orchids; dendrobiums; cymbidiums; cattleyas; and moth orchids, also known as phalaenopsis orchids. On our cover is from the popular cattleya species and appropriately called Love Passion-Island Romance.
The Orchid Show is taking place now through April 11, 2010.
Below is an example of a dendrobium called the Purple Haze Jimmie Hendrix. The yellow burst is the Dancing Lady, an oncidium orchid.
The pendulous beauty is a paphiopedilum, better known as a slipper orchid for its shape. Next to it is a vanda called Blue Ben.
Reader Comments (3)
Oh what a gorgeous photo of the Jimi Hendrix orchid - I love it! I just adore orchids and have seen the other in real life but have not seen this one before. They are truly amazing flowers - the detail in them is just beautiful. Thank you. Jo
I love your photo
The pic is really great!.