Orchid Encyclopedia

Called Pansy Orchid for its large pansy-like flowers. Prefers cool growing conditions.

The species behind the classic image of the large white moth orchid. A long, arching stem carries many flat white flowers about 6-8 cm across, and the lip ends in two thread-like tendrils. It is one of the national flowers of Indonesia.

A small epiphytic orchid native to Japan, named after Mount Nago in Okinawa where it was found. It carries thick, leathery leaves in two rows and in early summer to summer opens pale greenish-white flowers with red-purple bars on the lateral sepals and a lemony scent.

A small Japanese native orchid cultivated since the Edo period, with white flowers and sweet night fragrance.

The species behind the nobile-type Dendrobium hybrids. Upright, yellowish canes carry fragrant, waxy flowers in twos to fours at the nodes, ranging in colour from white to pink and purple.

A sturdy species from Mexico and Central America bearing clusters of orange flowers about 2.5 cm across. Formerly a Cattleya, it is still often sold as Cattleya aurantiaca.

A terrestrial orchid with distinctive pouch-shaped lip, valued for muted colors and long-lasting blooms.

A Vietnamese Paphiopedilum with cute pink flowers and beautiful mottled leaves.

A medium-sized Dendrobium bearing purple-pink flowers in twos and threes at the nodes of leafless canes, long-lasting and scented of rhubarb or raspberry.

A large terrestrial orchid with brown-white flowers in spikes, also called Nun's Orchid.

A species Phalaenopsis with refreshing lemon fragrance and beautiful green-purple gradient.

A large slipper orchid from limestone in the Philippines and northern Borneo. It spreads up to nine thick, glossy leaves and carries three to five flowers on a stem up to 60 cm tall, each spanning up to about 22 cm.

A South American slipper orchid similar to Paphiopedilum but preferring constantly wet conditions.

A cluster-flowering Dendrobium that hangs dense sprays about 30 cm long of 30-50 flowers with white petals and a deep yellow lip; the pinecone-like cluster gives its English name.

A small deciduous orchid from the Himalayas, blooming with a single large flower in spring, cold hardy.

A huge genus with 1000+ species, many with tiny flowers best observed with a magnifying glass.

A small terrestrial slipper orchid endemic to northern Sumatra. From clear green leaves rises a stem that opens sweetly scented, pale yellow flowers one after another from the bottom up, so it stays in bloom for a long time.

Known for butterfly-like flowers that bloom sequentially on one spike for extended enjoyment.

A large-flowered Cattleya from southern Brazil whose deep purple-red lip stands out against white or pale pink petals. Long known as Laelia purpurata, it is sold as many named forms such as alba and carnea.

Known as Foxtail Orchid, with dense flower spikes and sweet fragrance.

A terrestrial slipper orchid from rocky slopes in Assam, Bhutan, Myanmar and Yunnan. Its dull green leaves are speckled purple beneath near the base, and from autumn to winter a slender stem carries one flower 6-8 cm across.

A unique orchid with downward-hanging flowers, requiring basket culture with intense fragrance.