HOW TO DISTINGUISH ORCHIDS FROM OTHER FLOWERS

Without going into too much technicalities, it is not my thing, we will focus especially on the flower and also on its outside part, which we can see with no harm.

Apparently, Orchids come from the Liliaceae family.

These flowers, perennial as well, have 6 tepals (3 sepals and 3 petals). I mention them, because we will rely mainly on them.

                             S - Sepal

                             P - Petal

DISTINCTION BY THE FLOWER

1^st - Orchid flowers have 6 tepals as well.

2^nd – there are 3 sepals and 3 petals, the central one, known as labellum or lip, is very distinct from the other two, in shape, size and colour. It is made to attract and as a landing site for insects which help the pollination.

3^rd – We can differentiate them from the Liliaceae because these have 6 clearly visible stamens while our orchids only one.

Scheme of an orchid flower from Orchis family 

Scheme of an orchid flower from Ophrys family

                    S – Sepal

                    P – Petal

                    L – Labellum or Lip (Petal)

DISTINCTION BY THE LEAVES

4^th - The leaves are uniform, entire, with parallel longitudinal veins but never compound, divided or with lobes. Only in the case of Goodyera, they are linked by a noticeable mesh of transversal veins.

Another observation is that the flowers are always accompanied by small leaves, which start, like them, from the stem.

5^th - In some cases, while reaching the floral fullness, the first leaves usually fall.

DISTINCTION BY THE STEM

6^th - The European Orchids flower stem or spike is only a little straight and vertical stick, which never has branches.

OTHER DETAILS

SIZE

- The full height of these plants goes, depending on species, from 5 cm. such as Ophrys speculum until 125 cm. like Dactylorhiza elata.

- The flowers are distributed spirally along the stem.

FLOWER CLUSTER

- In spike shape (sessile flowers)- In raceme (stalked flowers)

 

With these simple facts we can go to the field now, into the woods, and to get in a more objective way a better assessment of these extraordinary plants.

Bear in mind that for the fully development of an orchid is necessary several years, even fifteen, therefore I beg to be respectful with these interesting and wonderful flora species.
And remember, "YOU CANNOT LOVE WHAT YOU DON´T KNOW"

Good luck friends!

Photography and drawings by the author

Manolo Ambou Terradez