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Orchid

Specialty Definition: Orchid, Florida

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Orchid is a town located in Indian River County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 140.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.8 km² (1.8 mi²). 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 33.15% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 140 people, 69 households, and 64 families residing in the town. The population density is 43.9/km² (113.8/mi²). There are 139 housing units at an average density of 43.6/km² (113.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 100.00% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 69 households out of which 7.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 92.8% are married couples living together, 0.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 7.2% are non-families. 7.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 0.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.03 and the average family size is 2.11. In the town the population is spread out with 4.3% under the age of 18, 0.7% from 18 to 24, 4.3% from 25 to 44, 58.6% from 45 to 64, and 32.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 61 years. For every 100 females there are 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.1 males. The median income for a household in the town is $0, and the median income for a family is $0. Males have a median income of $0 versus $36,250 for females. The per capita income for the town is $135,870. 0.0% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Orchid, Florida."

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Orchidaceae

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Orchids
Phalaenopsis orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Orchidales Family: Orchidaceae
Genera
(many)

The Orchids (Orchidaceae) are among the most diverse plant families. They get their name from the Greek orchis, testicle, from the appearance of the pseudobulbs in some terrestrial species. Roughly 30,000 species have been described, and at least 60,000 more hybrids have been produced by horticulturalists. They are monocotyledons, with flowers composed of 3 sepals and 3 petals (one of which is usually enlarged and called the "lip"). The reproductive organs in the centre have been transformed into a structure called the column. Ranging in size from tiny moss-like Pleurothallis species to massive Gramatophyllums (20 feet+) in New Guinea, their beauty and sophistication have captivated many. See genera list at bottom of page.

Most orchids are epiphytic, residing on tree limbs without parasitizing resources as, e.g., mistletoes do. Others live on the ground, often in shaded places. Almost all the species rely heavily upon mycorrhizal associations with various fungi that decompose surrounding matter, freeing up water-soluble nutrients. Most orchid seeds are extremely tiny, with no food reserves (endosperm), and will not germinate without such a symbiont to supply nutrients in the wild. Techniques have now been devised for germinating seeds on a nutrient-containing gel, eliminating the requirement of the fungus for germination, and greatly aiding the propagation of rare and endangered species.

It is in their reproductive methods that orchids truly shine. The Paphiopedilums (Lady Slippers) have a deep pocket that traps visitors, with just one exit. Passage through this exit leads to pollinia being deposited on the insect. A Eurasian genus has flowers that look so much like female bumble bees that males flying nearby are irresistibly drawn in. An underground orchid in Australia never sees the light of day, but manages to dupe ants into pollinating it. The Masdevallia stinks like a rotting carcass, and the forest flies it attracts assist its reproduction. A species discussed briefly by Darwin actually launches its viscid pollen sacs with explosive force. Some Phalaenopsis species in Malaysia use subtle weather cues to coordinate mass flowering.

There are a great number of tropical and subtropical orchids, and these are the most commonly known, as they are available at nurseries and through orchid clubs across the world. There are also quite a few orchids which grow in colder climates, although these are less often seen on the market.

Species:

• Ophrys apifera, bee orchid
• Gymnadenia conopsea, fragrant orchid
• Anacamptis pyramidalis, pyramidal orchid
• Dactylorhiza fuchsii, common spotted orchid

One orchid is used as a foodstuff flavoring, the source of Vanilla see below. The underground tubers of terrestrial orchids are used in the manufacture of ice cream in Turkey, the so-called fox-testicle ice cream. The scent of orchids is frequently used by perfumists (using GLC) to identify potential fragrance chemicals. With these exceptions, orchids have virtually no commercial value other than for the enjoyment of the flowers (see also Botanical Orchids, below).

The family of orchids is remarkably diverse. The plants found in "casual" culture, such as Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, and so forth, represent a tiny fraction of the thousands of varieties of orchids. Also within the Orchidaceae are "leafless" orchids, which often appear as nothing more than masses of roots, achlorophyllous orchids that are entirely reliant upon their mycorrhizal symbiont for their nutrition, "jewel" orchids with foliage that is as pretty as their flowers, and so many others that are capable of affecting the most dedicated of growers very deeply.

Botanical orchids

A selection of Orchid genera follows:

Aa Aerangis; Aerides; Anacamptis; Angraecum; Anguloa; Ascocenda; Barkeria; Bletilla; Brassavola; Brassia; Bulbophyllum; Catasetum; Cattleya; Cirrhopetalum; Coelogyne; Cymbidium; Cyrtopodium; Cypripedium; Dactylorhiza; Dendrobium; Disa; Dracula; Encyclia; Epidendrum; Epipactis; Eria; Eulophia; Gongora; Goodyera; Gramatophyllum; Gymnadenia; Habenaria; Herschelia; Laelia; Lapanthes; Liparis; Lycaste; Masdevallia; Maxillaria; Mexipedium; Miltonia; Mormodes; Odontoglossum; Oncidium; Ophrys; Orchis; Paphiopedilum; Paraphalaenopsis; Peristeria; Phaius; Phalaenopsis; Pholidota; Phragmipedium; Platanthera; Pleione; Pleurothallis; Pterostylis; Renanthera; Renantherella; Restrepia; Rhynchostylis; Saccolabium; Sarcochilus; Satyrium; Selenipedium; Serapias; Sophronitis; Spiranthes; Stanhopea; Stelis; Trias; Trichocentrum; Trichoglottis; Vanda; Vanilla; Zeuxine; Zygopetalum.

For a great read about the insane world of the orchid lover, try Eric Hansen's Orchid Fever Methuen.

There is a 1980s and 90s Scottish band called The Orchids.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Orchidaceae."

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Modern Usage: Orchid

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Commercial Usage: Orchid

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Image Slideshow: Orchid

Photos: Orchid More pictures...

Illustrations: Orchid More pictures...

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Photo Album: Orchid

Thumbnail	Description & Credit	Thumbnail	Description & Credit
	A Hawaiian orchid. Credit: America's Coastlines.		California Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium californicum) near Goolaway Gap. Credit: Terry Tuttle.
	Fairy Slipper, also called the Calypso Orchid, (Calypso bulbosa) found along Twincheria Creek east of Butte Falls. Credit: Terry Tuttle.		White-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys) along Morine Creek, a tributary to Elk Creek. Credit: Terry Tuttle.
	Rare orchid (Epipactis gigantea) found on Uncle Sam Mountain in Stevens County, Washington. Credit: Barbara Brenner.
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Orchid
 

"Orchid" by Aga Moryc Commentary: "Power of Flower."	"Orchid close up" by Paul Jen Commentary: "Orchid close up."
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Usage Frequency: Orchid

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Usage in Company Names: Orchid

Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.

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Cities: Orchid

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Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.