orchid

The orchid belongs to one of the largest flowering-plant families: there are at least 15,000 species. They have evolved complex mechanisms and structures to ensure successful pollination by insects.

Orchids in the mist, Tabacon, Costa Rica. There are around 15,000 species of orchid worldwide, most of them being in damp equatorial regions

The bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) is one of a number of species of orchid whose flowers resemble female insects or spiders. Male insects emerge before the females, in the early spring while the orchids are blooming. Tempted by the hairy, metallic purple flowers, the male insect attempts to mate with the orchid. In the process, the insect inadvertently picks up pollen, which he then transfers to his next ‘mate’. The bee orchid grows primarily in the Mediterranean region.

Any plant of a large family that contains at least 15,000 species and 700 genera, distributed throughout the world except in the coldest areas, and most numerous in damp equatorial regions. The flowers are the most highly evolved of the plant kingdom; they have three sepals and three petals and sometimes grow singly, but more usually appear with other flowers on spikes, growing up one side of the main stem, or all around the main stem, which may be upright or drooping. (Family Orchidaceae.)

Species include the showy orchid (Orchis spectabilis) and rattlesnake orchids (genus Goodyera) of North America.