Orchid petal in you I see, a
life worth living and with
you I’ll be. Love don’t come
In pearly light but you smell
and look deeper than my
sight. Like an orchid flower
you are to me, a dream to
dream, a vision to see.
—from “Orchid Beauty” by Andrew Vassell

Ending on the 22nd of April—Earth Day!—the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show was a delight. Free with the general admission fee to the Garden, this colorful display is held in the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a Victorian-era glass greenhouse. The colors, shapes, sizes and fragrances of the orchids included in the show can transport anyone to another world.

The flower got its name from the ancient Greeks. They thought that its tuberous roots looked like the male generating organ; the Greek word ‘orkhis’ means testicle. Because of this association orchids have been connected with fertility and virility in many cultures.

The ancient Greeks believed that eating the root tubers could determine a baby’s sex. If the father ate the plant’s large tubers, the baby would be a boy; but if the mother ate small orchid tubers, she would give birth to a girl. Because this was believed by so many, orchids became a popular gift for couples expecting a baby. In ancient China, orchids represented an abundance of children.

Joy, happiness, and innocence are represented by a pink orchid; they are also given on the 14th and 28th wedding anniversary.

For the Ancient Greeks Orchis was the son of a nymph and a satyr. While celebrating at a feast for Dionysios, Orchis committed sacrilege; he attempted to have sex with a priestess. He was punished by being torn apart by wild beasts. Orchis’ father prayed that his son would be made whole again; instead the gods allowed him to metamorphose into a slender, flowering plant. Orchids were thought to be powerful aphrodisiacs, eaten by sex-obsessed satyrs.

Because orchids were rare flowers during the Victorian era, found only in the tropics and affordable only the wealthy, the English attached great significance to the orchid as symbols of luxury. In ancient Japan, the flowers were treasured by royalty, and were symbols of wealth. Because a blue orchid is so rare, it symbolizes rarity; they also stand for spirituality and meditation.

Orchids are used for many purposes. Substances isolated from orchids are used in perfumes, spices and traditional Chinese medicine. Vanilla is one of the most widely used flavorings. It is extracted from the pod of a species of orchid, the Vanilla planifolia.

Orchids, one of the largest and most diverse groups of plants known, have more than 25,000 species identified. Scientists discover new species each year. In addition to orchids in the wild, through selective breeding many orchid varieties have been created as well. Orchids can be found throughout the world. They can survive in different kind of habitats, even close to the Arctic Circle; but most species live in tropical rainforests, warm and humid climates.

From as tiny as a penny or to weighing a couple hundred pounds, orchids vary in size depending on the species. Each orchid’s flower is bilateral symmetric, meaning it can be divided in two equal parts. The orchid’s habitat determines the size, shape and texture of leaves. A dry climate will produce thick leaves covered with wax; but warm and humid places will result in thin, elongated leaves. While some species do not have leaves.

The roots of an orchid are not the standard variety. They are rhizome, tuber or aerial roots. Orchids can live on the ground, known as terrestrial forms, attached to woody plants, called epiphytic types. Some species are parasitic. Because they cannot produce food with sunlight and carbon dioxide, as other plants do, they get food from fungi that live inside their roots.

Innocence, beauty, and elegance are symbolized by a white orchid, a gift one to one dear to you.

Orchids are thought to be the epitome of rare beauty, representing beauty in symmetry. That is because of the symmetry of the flower and the petals’ straight lines. The ancient Chinese considered these flowers as ‘Lan Hua,’ or the epitome of human perfection.

Because orchids grow easily and bloom under many conditions they are considered symbols of love. During the 1800s there was a custom to give exotic and rare flowers as an expression of love and affection, the more rare the flower, deeper your love. In some parts of Europe orchids were the key ingredient in love potions.

Because orchids were rare flowers during the Victorian era, found only in the tropics and affordable only the wealthy, the English attached great significance to the orchid as symbols of luxury. In ancient Japan, the flowers were treasured by royalty, and were symbols of wealth. Because a blue orchid is so rare, it symbolizes rarity; they also stand for spirituality and meditation.

In ancient Japan if a warrior found an orchid it was a symbol of his bravery. The Aztecs made a potion of chocolate and extracts from the vanilla orchid, drinking this enhanced their physical strength.

Depending on the species the flower of an orchid can survive from a few hours to six months. Orchids produce millions of miniature seeds; but only few seeds will mature into a plant. The seeds of an orchid do not have endosperm, which provides nutrients needed for germination. Therefore, all orchids live closely with fungi during germination, which can last from a couple of weeks to 15 years.

Orchids used for numerous purposes. Substances isolated from orchids are used in industry of perfumes, spices and in traditional Asian medicine. Vanilla is one of the most widely used flavorings. It is extracted from a species of orchid, the Vanilla planifolia’s pod.

Friendship and new beginnings are symbolized by a yellow orchid, given a special friend.

According to fossil evidence orchids have been blooming on Planet Earth for about 100 million years. Some species of orchids can live up to 100 years; but the lifespan depends on the species.

Check out photos from past years’ NYBG Orchid Show.
From 2015, Orchids in the Garden
From 2014, A Show of Orchids

Our Greenwich Village Walking Tour includes several gardens and parks. And our Central Park Walking Tour will take you to the Shakespeare Garden. Take the Tour; Know More!

ALL PHOTOS AND TEXT, EXCEPT CREDITED QUOTES, © THE AUTHOR 2018