orchid: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Papua New Guinea: How the Kumuls, and now Orchids, inspire hope for a nation • Oct. 15, 2026, 1:37 AM ET (BBC)

Facts

Also Known As	Orchidaceae

Photos and Videos

Close-up of spider orchid flowers (Brassia lawrenceana), showing long, narrow yellow-green petals with brown spots and a spidery appearance.

Ladies' tresses

Cattleya orchid

Cluster of green vanilla pods (Vanilla planifolia) hanging from a vine with broad green leaves, cultivated outdoors on Reunion Island.

Single Pogonia ophioglossoides, or snakemouth orchid, with three pale pink petals and a fringed, deep purple lip, set against a blurred green background.

How new orchid varieties are created

Roles of bees and flowers in European woodlands

Why is there a shortage of natural vanilla?

See All Videos, Images and Podcasts →

Topics

Pleurothallidinae lady’s slipper jewel orchid Listera Cypripedium Paphiopedilum Phragmipedium Selenipedium Mexipedium pink butterfly orchid tulip Asparagaceae Iridaceae rose iris poppy passion flower rhododendron begonia lily

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

mimicry: Orchids

Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap

Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous