Orchid, iater, order Orchidales and the sole family Orchidaceae of monocotyledonous perennial herbaceous plants.
Terrestrial (with rhizomes or underground tubers) or epiphytes. The leaves are whole, reduced to scales in saprophytic species. Orchid flowers are irregular - zygomorphic, in spike-racemose inflorescences sometimes up to 2-3 m long, rarely solitary, highly and variously specialized for pollination by insects. Perianth bright, fragrant, bizarre shape, double, with nectaries and outgrowths.
The lower petal, the so-called lip, of complex structure, usually protrudes from the flower, forming a "landing pad" for insects, and in some species the lip has the shape of a pitcher. The only stamen of orchids grows together with a column and stigma into a column (gynostemia). Pollen grains are combined into lumps - pollinia. One of the blades of the three-bladed stigma is often transformed into a "beak" that secretes sticky substances. Gynoecium (a group of pistils in a flower) is paracarp or secondary syncarp - i.e. a single pistil, with fused walls of carpels (the walls of carpels are either preserved or absent). Ovary inferior. When an insect gets hidden nectar, genuine is glued to its body with a sticky stick. When insects visit the next flower, pollinia, thanks to a complex mechanism, falls on the stigma. In many orchids, self-pollination is also possible. It takes orchids up to two or more years from pollination to ripening of seeds and fruits. The embryo is not differentiated. The sepals (petals) of orchids also have their names - two lateral - petals, the upper and two lateral lower sepals - sepals.
Seeds germinate only when fungi that form endotrophic mycorrhiza (mainly Rhizoctonia species) enter them. The orchid family includes about 800 genera, and 35 thousand species are the largest family of monocotyledonous plants. Distributed almost everywhere, except for the polar regions and deserts, the most abundant and diverse in the tropics and subtropics of America and South Asia. In temperate and cold areas, mostly terrestrial orchids grow. In Russia, there are about 150 species (shoe, ophris, yatryshnik, etc.) Orchid culture was introduced more than 1000 years ago, in China. And at the beginning of the 20th century, a method was developed for growing orchids in greenhouses from seeds infected with fungus.
Dictionary of Orchid Terms
Bractei are highly modified leaves of inflorescences (bracts).
Bulba (pseudobulba) is a thickened part of the stem in sympodial orchids. They act as an accumulator of nutrients and water, in case of prolonged drought, which is typical for plants leading an epiphytic lifestyle. Bulbs have a variety of shapes, depending on the type of orchids - cylindrical, cone-shaped, club-shaped or spherical. Each bulb has one or two leaves. But since the nutrient stores are in the bulbs, the leaves of such orchids are usually thin and narrow, gradually dying away. Monopodial orchids do not have bulbs and their stores of nutrients and water are deposited in juicy fleshy leaves.
Vegetative shoots are shoots without generative organs, consisting of an axis, leaves and buds. They can be apical and lateral, shortened and elongated. Elongated vegetative shoots are often referred to as growth shoots. Vegetative shoots differ from generative shoots in growth duration and length.
Velamen is a hygroscopic tissue of a spongy structure, consisting of dead cells filled with air. Velamen covers the roots of epiphytic orchids and is designed to absorb water from the air and with precipitation. Velamen is characteristic only of orchids growing on drying substrates.
A generative shoot is an shoot that carries individual flowers or inflorescences. Generative escape develops from a generative kidney having the beginnings of a flower or inflorescence.
Hybrid - from lat. Hibrida, hybrida - a mixture, an organism (cell) obtained as a result of combining genetic material of genotypically different organisms (cells), i.e. hybridization. In natural populations of cross-pollinating plants, almost every individual is heterozygous for many genes, that is, it is a hybrid, which is necessary to maintain a certain level of genotypic variability in the population. Distant hybrids (of different taxa - species, genera, families) are quite rare in nature and, as a rule, are sterile. This suggests that natural selection hinders both their education and their survival. However, the appearance of some plant species was associated with the formation of distant hybrids.
The lip is one of the tepals, differs from the rest of the leaves in shape and/or color and size.
Two-stamen orchids - in which the flower has two fertile stamens (in the anthers of which pollen grains are formed). There is also a third stamen, but it is modified, underdeveloped, does not have an anther, called staminodium. Two-stamens include orchids of the genus Paphiopedilum.
Baby is a new young plant formed on the maternal vegetative path.
Column - an organ formed by the fusion of stamens (one or two) with a column and stigma of a pistil, is characteristic only of orchids.
Rhizome or Rhizome - rhizome - an underground more or less durable escape of perennial herbaceous plants, as well as shrubs, serving for the deposition of spare substances, vegetative renewal and reproduction. It differs from the root by the presence of scaly leaves, scars from fallen leaves (sometimes their dry remains), buds and subordinate roots, and the absence of a root cover. The rhizome (rhizome) grows annually and forms aerial shoots from the apical or axillary buds. Often rhizomes form branched systems. The old parts of the rhizome are gradually destroyed. Long rhizomes with significant annual growths and well-defined internodes serve mainly for vegetative reproduction and dispersal, short rhizomes with small annual growths and close nodes - mainly for storage and vegetative renewal.
Meristem - from the Greek. Meristos - divisible, - educational tissue of plants, which for a long time retains the ability to divide and the emergence of new cells; characterized by high metabolic activity. Some cells of the meristem are initial, linger in the embryonic phase of development and, when dividing, provide a continuous increase in the mass of the plant; other meristem cells gradually differentiate, forming various permanent tissues (integumentary, conductive, mechanical, basic, etc.). The meristem carries all the genetic information of the plant, any organ and an entire plant can form from it.
Apical meristems - cones of growth of shoot and root - are laid very early in the embryo. The formation of cotyledons and the laying of leaf buds on the cone of shoot growth causes the differentiation of lateral meristems into procambium and cambium. During plant growth, meristems are partially preserved in its roots, shoot nodes, buds, stem internodes, etc. With the help of the meristem, orchids are grown in test tubes in industrial machines ("meristem culture"). I.e. if a microscopic piece of meristem is cut off and placed in vitro on a nutrient medium, under sterile conditions, a new orchid specimen can be grown. It is believed that the meristem is sterile, and the thinner its layer is cut (under a microscope), the more likely it is to be sterile.
Mycorrhiza - from miko... and Greek rhiza - root, - mushroom root, symbiosis of the mycelium of the fungus and the roots of the higher plant. Distinguish mycorrhiza ectotrophic, in which the fungus braids the root, remaining on its surface and endotrophic, when the fungus penetrates the root (mycorrhiza microscopic fungi from the class imperfect with plants of the orchid and heather family). Fungal hyphae in cells branch tree-like or form capitate swellings. Mycorrhiza is seen either as a mutualistic symbiosis that benefits both fungus and plant, or limited parasitism. Mycorrhizal fungi probably decompose some organic soil compounds inaccessible to the plant, promote the absorption of phosphates, nitrogen compounds, produce substances such as vitamins and growth promoters, and themselves use substances (possibly carbohydrates) extracted by them from the plant root. Seeds of some plants (orchid) are able to germinate only in the presence of a fungus.
Mycotrophic plants - from miko... and... trof, - plants that have mycorrhiza on the roots and extract nutrients from the soil using fungal hyphae symbiotically related to the roots. Mycotrophic plants are all gymnosperms, most monocotyledonous (75%) and dicotyledonous (80-90%). In each type of mycotrophic plant, the form of mycorrhiza and its degree of development depend on age, environmental conditions, etc.
The monopodial orchid has a main axis formed by a single shoot with unlimited apical growth.
Single-stamen orchids - only one fertile stamen has been preserved in their flower (in the anthers of which pollen grains are formed).
Pollinium - the formation of pollen grains glued together with a substance - viscine, become as if waxy . When germinating on the stigma , pollinium forms a large number of pollen tubes , which increases the chances of fertilization. Pollinium can be filiform , rounded , pear-shaped , angular and club-shaped. In the pollination process, pollinia are transferred from one flower to another.
Peloric flower - from the Greek. Pelorios - monstrous - a flower with a regular (actinomorphic) corolla, unlike other flowers of the same plant that have irregular (zygomorphic) corollas. A peloric flower develops at the top of the inflorescence. It is possible that the formation of a peloric flower depends on the uniform action of gravity on the corolla due to its apical, and not lateral, as in other flowers, position.
It is generally accepted that the actinomorphic flower is the initial state of the trait, the zygomorphic is the derivative. This phenomenon in orchids is developmental disorders, both inherited (mutations) and non-inherited, which lead to the development of actinomorphic flowers in plants in which they are normally zygomorphic.
Pollinarium - from lat. pollen, genus. case pollinis - thin flour, pollen, a special formation adapted to carry large masses of pollen by insects or birds on the stigma of a flower. It consists of pollinium, pedicle and adherent (pad), with which the pollinarium is glued to the pollinator.
Pollinia - from lat. pollen, genus. case pollinis - thin flour, pollen, - pollen grains of one half of the anther (teki), glued to the total mass with a special substance - viscine; part of a pollinarium. When germinating on the stigma, pollinium forms a large number of pollen tubes, which is an adaptation for reliable fertilization. Pollinia are characteristic of the crotch and orchid family.
Sympodial orchids - in which the main axis is a system of shoots with limited apical growth, formed from the lateral buds of shoots of the previous order.
Turgor is a natural strain of plant cells. A plant can live only with a balance of water, that is, when the amount of water entering the plant is not less than it is consumed. When more water is consumed (with intense evaporation), the cells are dehydrated. At the same time, the tension of the plant cells is weakened, this is called the loss of turgor. The leaves and tops of the shoots droop and wither. If the plant is not watered in time, the process can become irreversible.
The loss of turgor can be caused not only by a lack of irrigation, but also by irrigation and spraying with highly concentrated solutions of mineral fertilizers.
Epiphytes are plants that have no connection with the soil: they are fixed on the trunks and branches of trees or other plants. Moisture and mineral substances from atmospheric precipitation are used. As a rule, they have an open root system, sometimes do not have roots.
Orchid classification
- Genus Anectochilus
- Genus Ansellia
- Rod Auliza
- Genus Bletia
- Genus Brassavola
- Genus Bulbophyllum
- Genus Haemaria
- Genus Grammatophyllum
- Rod Goodyera
- Genus Dendrobium
- Genus Zygopetalum
- Genus Catasetum
- Rod Calanthe
- Genus Cattleya
- Rod Lelia (Laelia)
- Rod Leptotes
- Rod Lycaste
- Rod Macodes
- Genus Maxillaria
- Rod Mormodes
- Genus Paphiopedilum
- Rod Pleione
- Genus Sophronitis
- Genus Stanhopea
- Rod Faius (Phaius)
- Pholidota genus
- Genus Phragmipedium
- Rod Hysis
- Genus Hormidium
- Genus Coelogyne
- Genus Cycnoches
- Genus Cymbidium
- Genus Cirrhopetalum
- Genus Encyclia
- Genus Epidendrum
- Bletievye group (Bletinae) - includes childbirth: bletia, calanta, hisis, faius
- Dendrobiinae group - includes genera: bulbophyllum, cirropetalum, dendrobium
- Catasetinae group - includes genera: catasetum, cinnoches, mormodes
- Maxillariinae group - includes genera: lycasts, maxillaria and zygopetalums
- Spiranthinae group - includes genera: gemaria, macodes, anectochilus, goodyear
- Coelogyninae group - includes genera: coelogina, pleione, dendrochilum, folidota
- Cypripedieae group - includes childbirth: paphiopedilums and fragmipediums
- Cymbididiinae group - includes genera: anzelia, cymbidium, grammatophyllum
- Epidendrinae group - includes genera: brassavola, cattleia, epidendrum, lelia, leptotes, sofronitis
Common abbreviations of orchid species names and their hybrids
- Aer. - Aerides Aeridis
- Aerctm. - Aeridocentrum Aeridocentrum
- Aerdv. - Aeridovanda Aeridovanda
- Angcm. - Angraecum Angrekum
- Arnps. - Arachnopsis Arachnopsis
- Arnth. - Aranthera Arantera
- Ascda. - Ascocenda Ascocenda
- Ascps. - Asconopsis Asconopsis
- Asctm. - Ascocentrum Ascocentrum
- B. - Brassavola Brassavola
- Bc. - Brassocattleya Brassocattleia
- Bepi. - Brassoepidendrum Brassoepidendrum
- Bkch. - Bokchoonara Bokchonara
- Bl. - Brassolaelia Brassolaelia
- Blc. - Brassolaeliocattleya Brassolaeliocattleya
- Bro. - Broughtonia Broughtonia
- Brs. - Brassia Brassia
- C. - Cattleya Cattleya
- Chtra. - Christieara Christieara
- Colm. - Colmanara Colmanara
- Ctna. - Cattleytonia Cattleytonia
- Den. - Dendrobium Dendrobium
- Dor. - Doritis Doritis
- Dtps. - Doritaenopsis Doritaenopsis
- Enc. - Encyclopia Encyclia
- Epc. - Epicattleya Epicattleia
- Epi. - Epidendrum Epidendrum
- Eplc. - Epilaeliocattleya Epilaeliocattleya
- Gram. - Grammatophyllum Grammophyllum
- Hknsa. - Hawkinsara Haukinsara
- Kgw. - Kagawara Kagawara
- L. - Laelia Laelia
- Lc. - Laeliocattleya Laeliocattleya
- Lpna. - Lioponia Lioponia
- Lwsra. - Lewisara Levisara
- Mkra. - Mokara Mokara
- Nak. - Nakamotoara Nakamotoara
- Neof. - Neofinetia Neofinetia
- Neost. - Neostylis Neostylis
- Odbrs. - Odontobrassia Odontobrassia
- Odm. - Odontoglossum Odontoglossum
- Odtna. - Odontonia Odontia
- Onc. - Oncidium Oncidium
- Phal. - Phalaenopsis Phalaenopsis
- Prra. - Perreiraara Perrierara
- Rdza. - Rodriquezia Rodriguez
- Ren. - Renanthera Renantera
- Rhrds. - Rhynchorides Rinchorides
- Rhv. - Rhynchovanda Rinhowanda
- Rhy. - Rhynchostylis Rinchostylis
- Rlla. - Rumrillara Rumrillara
- Rntda. - Renantanda Renantada
- Sc. - Sophrocattleya Sofrocattleya
- Slc. - Sophrolaeliocattleya Sofrolaeliocattleya
- Soph. - Sophronitis Sofronitis
- V. - Vanda Wanda
- Vasco. - Vascostylis Vaskostylis
- Vf. - Vandofinetia Vanofinetia
- Ysfra. - Yusofara Yusofar