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Botanical Family · Asparagales

Orchidaceae

Orchid family

179 speciesOrder Asparagales8+ well-known plants

The largest flowering plant family, with extraordinary diversity in flower form adapted for specific pollinators. Found on every continent except Antarctica, with the highest diversity in tropical rainforests. Many are epiphytic, growing on other plants without being parasitic.

Browse all 179 species ↓
Representative ORCHIDACEAE specimen
Representative specimen · Orchidaceae
Key pattern

Three sepals and three petals (one modified into a lip or pouch), fused with the stamens into a single column, above a distinctly inferior ovary.

The seeds are microscopic dust-like particles with no food reserve — orchids depend on a symbiotic fungus in the soil just to germinate.

Identify the species

Which Orchidaceae species is this?

Answer what you can see and narrow it down to a single Orchidaceae species.

Click a node to trace its path · pinch or scroll to zoom · drag to pan
Flower ColorWhat color are the flowers?
Green
Orange
Pink
Purple
White
Yellow
HabitHow does the plant grow?
Climbing vine
Epiphyte (perches on tree bark or rock)
Herb
Terrestrial (rooted in soil)
HabitHow does the plant grow?
Epiphyte (perches on tree bark or rock)
Herb
Terrestrial (rooted in soil)
HabitHow does the plant grow?
Climbing vine
Epiphyte (perches on tree bark or rock)
Herb
Terrestrial (rooted in soil)
HabitHow does the plant grow?
Epiphyte (perches on tree bark or rock)
Herb
Terrestrial (rooted in soil)
Tree
HabitHow does the plant grow?
Epiphyte (perches on tree bark or rock)
Terrestrial (rooted in soil)

How to recognise the Orchidaceae family

  • 01

    Bilateral flower symmetry

  • 02

    Labellum (lip petal) for pollinator landing

  • 03

    Minute dust-like seeds in thousands

Typical leaf characters

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Typical flower & fruit

Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.

Notable members

Ochre-Yellow AcampeAcampe ochraceaAcampe Orchid, Brittle OrchidAcampe praemorsaJug Flower OrchidAcanthephippium bicolorCurled AeridesAerides crispumCat-Tail OrchidAerides maculosaFox-Tail OrchidAerides odorataRigid AeridesAerides ringensSpider OrchidArachnis labrosa

All 179 species in ORCHIDACEAE

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