Orkideakasvien

Orkideakasvien, commonly known as orchids, represent a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, Orchidaceae. This family is one of the largest and most varied of all plant families, boasting an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 species and more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars. Orchids are found in almost every habitat on Earth, with the exception of polar regions and extreme deserts. They exhibit a remarkable array of forms, sizes, colors, and fragrances.

The defining characteristic of orchids is their unique flower structure, which typically consists of three sepals and three petals, with one petal modified into a prominent lip or labellum. This labellum often serves as a landing platform for pollinators and can be intricately shaped to attract specific insects, birds, or other animals. Orchid pollination mechanisms are incredibly varied and often highly specialized.

Orchids employ a variety of growth habits. Many are epiphytes, growing on other plants, particularly trees, without being parasitic. Others are terrestrial, growing in soil, while some are lithophytes, growing on rocks. Their reproductive strategies are also diverse, with many producing tiny seeds that rely on symbiotic relationships with fungi for germination. This complex biology contributes to their widespread distribution and remarkable evolutionary success.