24 November 2015

Orchids 12.10.1991


Orchids from 9% of our flora and are the largest botanical family of higher plants in India. It is estimated that about 1,300 species (140 genera) of orchids are found in our country with Himalayas as their main home and others scattered in Eastern and western Ghats. 
ORCHIDS, the most beautiful flowers in god's creation, comprise a unique group of plants. Taxonomically, they represent the most highly evolved family among monocotyledons with 600-800 genera and 25,000-35,000 species . Orchids exhibit an incredible range of diversity in size, shape and colour of their flowers. They are most pampered of the plants and occupy top position among all the flowering plants valued for cut flower production and as potted plants. They are known for their longer lasting and bewitchingly beautiful flowers which fetch a very high price in the international market.
Theophrastus, who is also called the father of botany (370-285 BC), gave the name "ORCHIDS" to the group of bizarre plants on the basis of the resemblance of paired underground tubers of these plants to masculine anatomy (the testes). This resemblance was also responsible for the mistaken belief that the orchids posses aphrodisiac properties and eating of underground tubers might "provoke venus" and they may beget male children.

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