Orchids fascinate people all over the world with their unique flower beauty and fascinating properties. This makes you curious about the origin of the picturesque flowers. Follow us on a journey from prehistoric origins to modern times.
Orchids come from the tropics
The floral cradle stood in the primeval tropics
Scientists date the origin of orchids to the end of the Cretaceous period around 65 to 80 million years ago in the tropical regions. At this time, tree ferns and conifers dominated the flora, while the first shrubby flowering plants developed. The primordial orchids did not yet hover in the tops of mighty trees, but stretched out their roots in the ground. Only after an evolution of many millions of years had the magnificent flowers chosen a place in the airy heights on the branches of the jungle giants.
Today, 9 out of 10 orchids come from the tropics and subtropics. More than 1,000 genera contain more than 30,000 species with countless hybrids. The development is far from over, because new species and varieties are constantly being added.
Milestones in the historical origin
Orchids have been inspiring us as ornamental, medicinal and useful plants as well as aphrodisiacs for 2,500 years. It was a long way to the modern Phalaenopsis on the windowsill. We have compiled important milestones for you here:
- In China, 500 B.C. the first writings about orchids were written
- About 300 BC The native orchids are mentioned for the first time
- In 1615 the first tropical orchid blooms on the European continent
- The first flowering Cattleya labiata caused a worldwide sensation in 1818
- From 1830 to 1840, the botanist John Linley created the main work establishing orchid science
After keeping orchids was reserved for wealthy families in the 19th and 20th centuries, things changed at the beginning of the 21st century. As a result of mass production in Taiwan and the Netherlands, the former luxury plants are now affordable for everyone.
tips
Deforestation of the rainforests, agriculture and urbanization have reduced the population of orchids to the point that they are now threatened with extinction in the wild. Therefore, all orchid species are now listed in the Washington species protection program. Admiring and photographing is allowed. Picking or even digging up, on the other hand, is punished with high fines.