orchidology

Orchidology is the scientific study of the Orchidaceae, the orchid family. It encompasses taxonomy, systematics, morphology, physiology, ecology, pollination biology, conservation, and cultivation. With roughly 28,000 described species in about 750 genera, orchids are among the most diverse and widespread flowering plants, inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions as epiphytes, lithophytes, and terrestrials.

Orchid flowers are notable for bilateral symmetry, a highly specialized structure called the column that fuses the male and female organs, and a distinct labellum or lip that often functions as a pollinator guide. Pollen is packaged in pollinia, which are transferred as a unit during pollination. Orchid seeds are tiny and require symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi to germinate and establish seedlings.

Growth habits vary: most tropical orchids are epiphytic on trees, while others are terrestrial herbaceous plants or lithophytes growing on rocks. Many species rely on specific pollinators, leading to intricate coevolutionary relationships and specialized floral morphologies. Orchidology also studies physiology, such as photosynthetic pathways in some leafless or pseudo-bulb-bearing species and adaptations to drought or high humidity.

Taxonomic work in orchidology has evolved from morphology-based classification to modern molecular phylogenetics, reshaping subfamilies (for example Orchidoideae and Epidendroideae) and many genera. The field integrates field botany, herbarium study, and increasingly genomics and bioinformatics.

Cultivation and horticulture are closely linked to orchidology. Propagation methods include division and micropropagation through tissue culture; cultivation often requires specialized substrates, moisture regimes, and controlled lighting. Widely grown genera include Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya, and Vanda.

Conservation concerns include habitat loss, illegal collection, and climate change. Orchids are listed under various CITES appendices to regulate trade. Ex situ conservation in botanical gardens and seed or mycorrhizal culture programs support species recovery, while in situ efforts focus on habitat protection and pollinator conservation.