Categories: Nature Facts

5 Fun Facts for Flower-Lovers About the Orchid

We usually see orchids flashing steep prices and waiting patiently on grocery store shelves to be given as thank-yous, but there’s much more to this flower than its luxurious looks. Here are five fun facts for flower-lovers about the orchid that will make you appreciate this beautiful plant even more!

1. Orchids Are Among the Most Expensive Flowers on the Planet

Despite their prevalence around the world, orchids are known for their rarity and high price. A single orchid plant of the right species can cost thousands of dollars. One of the most expensive flowers ever sold was the Shenzhen Nongke Orchid, auctioned off in 2005 for $290,000!

2. They Play a Role in Many Different Cultures

Orchids have a significant meaning and function in cultures across the globe. In ancient Greece, orchids were symbols of virility, and they played a role in rituals that were believed to determine a baby’s gender. In modern Hawaii, the decorative and symbolic lei often features a variety of orchids and plays a role in many festivities.

3. The World’s Smallest Orchid Is Smaller Than a Dime

Among the thousands of orchid species in the world is one so small and delicate that its petals are transparent. Discovered in Ecuador by botanist Lou Jost, the miniature orchid measures just over two millimeters from petal to petal. It is one of many new orchids still being discovered and studied today.

4. Vanilla Bean Is Actually the Fruit of an Orchid

Vanilla is a part of life for dessert-lovers across the globe, so it may surprise you to learn that vanilla bean is the fruit of an orchid! Most vanilla we use today is artificial; real vanilla bean is more expensive due to the specific growing conditions necessary for orchids to succeed.

5. Orchids Sold in Stores Are Often Decades Old

We don’t often think of orchids as long-lasting plants, but the flower falling off the plant is not the plant dying, as many new orchid-owners might assume. With proper care, the plant itself is known to live for decades. The flowering orchids available for purchase took five to seven years to germinate, and they’re often much older than that by the time you buy them.

These five fun facts for flower-lovers about the orchid are bound to provide an interesting ice-breaker when you welcome this exquisite plant into your home.