Orchid Encyclopedia

A tall Brazilian Cattleya that bears clusters of 10-30 pale, purple-spotted flowers atop its long pseudobulbs, with a vivid magenta lip and a pleasant scent.

A jewel orchid with golden net-like patterns covering the leaves, ideal for terrariums.

A miniature monopodial orchid ranging from the Himalaya to Indochina. Formerly placed in Ascocentrum, it packs small flowers onto stems shorter than the leaves. It is known as a parent of Ascocenda hybrids and is often still sold under the old genus name.

Japan's atsumori-so, bearing a large red-purple pouched flower at the top of the stem. It grows in grassland and open woods in cold parts of Hokkaido and Honshu and is designated a Specified Class I Nationally Rare Species; plants on sale are artificially propagated.

A small orchid of lawns, banks and other familiar grassland. Tiny pink flowers spiral up a slender spike, the twisted spike giving it its Japanese name. Left- and right-handed spirals occur in roughly equal numbers, and white and other variant forms exist.

A moth orchid species formerly placed in the genus Doritis. It has many stiff, fairly upright leaves and an erect, tall stem that opens small, bright pink-red flowers from the bottom up. It is known for wide variation in flower colour and shape.

A Phragmipedium that grows on wet cliffs and rocks on the eastern slopes of the Andes. It is known for scarlet-red flowers, a colour new to the genus, and drew attention as a breeding parent after its description in 1981.

A hardy Brazilian orchid with large waxy fragrant flowers, easy for beginners.

The easiest orchid to grow, a terrestrial species common in Japanese gardens with purple-pink spring flowers.

An epiphytic orchid with intensely fragrant white flowers at night, known as Lady of the Night.

One of the largest Bulbophyllum species with huge leaves and uniquely scented flowers, popular among collectors.

A terrestrial orchid native to Japanese mountains, with elegant spring flower spikes.

A section Barbata slipper orchid from Indochina to the northern Malay Peninsula. It has leaves mottled in light and dark green and, from spring to early summer, bears one flower 8-11 cm across on a hairy purple stem.

Known as the Queen of Orchids, prized for large fragrant blooms and stunning colors.

A Brazilian Cattleya species with many color forms including coerulea and aquinii.

A large Cattleya from Ecuador-Peru with lavender blooms and beautifully frilled lips.