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Orchids can be terrestrial (grow on soil), epiphyte
(grow on tree host without parasitizing it),
lithophyte (grow on rock) and saprophyte (grow by
feeding decomposing organic matter).
habitat: terrestrial
Terrestrial orchids are mostly sympodial. All Pleonandrae(s)
are ancient terrestrials, so are Neottioideae and
Orchidoideae. Pleonandrae include some of the most
beautiful, highly prized and peculiar looking
orchids, very well known as the ‘slipper orchids’,
genus Paphiopedilum. Not far away is Neottioideae,
which consists of several genera of ‘jewel orchids’
that have the most beautifully patterned or
variegated leaves. Some of their flowers are very
unusual indeed, such as those of genus Anoectochilus.
The sub-family Orchidoideae is also very well known
with its highly unusual genus Corybas. Found mainly
on mountains, it is constituted mainly of a tuber, one
beautifully sometimes variegated love-shaped leaf
and a relatively huge flower. Here we also have the
famous species Habenaria rhodocheila that look
rather like a well-dressed lady from an angle.
Modern terrestrials are found within Epidendroideae
and Vandoideae, the famous includes the genus
Cymbidium (Vandoideae) that gave rise to some of the
most striking hybrids available. Popular
terrestrials from Epidendroideae are such as the
common Arundina and Spathoglottis, large
Phaius
tankervilliae and elegant Calanthe.
habitat: saprophytes
Saprophytes are uncommonly found Epidendroideae(s) that
are leafless and chlorophyll-less with rhizomes or
stems and roots. The term saprophyte only describes
feeding mechanism and not habitat. They can be
terrestrials (Cyrtosia) or climbing epiphytes (Galeola,
Erythrorchis and Lecanorchis). They are rarely
spotted unless when in bloom.
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