Orchids

Known for their often exquisite flowers, orchids are the largest family of flowering plants in the world with over 30,000 species identified. They are distributed in most countries and are especially prolific in tropical regions, where the majority of species grow on the trunks and branches of trees. In temperate regions, such as southern Australia, most orchids grow in the ground.

Throughout the life of an orchid it forms relationships with other organisms. Most importantly orchids rely on fungi to assist with the germination of seed, and in some cases continue to work with fungi throughout their life for their continuing health and development. Orchids may also grow on a host plant and depend on certain insects to pollinate them.

Orchid seed is the smallest seed of all plants, taking more than 1.25 million seeds to weigh a single gram. A specific fungus allows orchid seed to germinate by effectively providing energy to it that the orchid can’t provide itself. Other plants are self sufficient at this stage but not orchids.