European Orchids
Whereas many tropical orchids are 'epiphytic' and live on
trees, European orchids are 'terrestrial' - they have roots in the
ground.
They have a very advanced pollination system. This usually
involves a very complex relationship with the insects which pollinate
them. This helps to explain their amazing variety of flower colours and
shapes.
Also their seeds are so tiny and light that they blow in the
wind. The disadvantage of this is that the seeds do not contain any food and
they rely on fungi in the soil to provide nourishment for the growing seedling.
They also hybridise with one another freely so that naming them all is
complicated and not altogether settled. Where practical we have adopted the
system piloted by Pierre Delforge.