ORCHIDACEAE is one of the large families of the flora of asia.Since the species are adapted to diverse climatic and topographic conditions,exhibiting epiphytic,terestrial and saprophytic habits,it is one of the most interesting families with wide floral adoptations.
ORCHIDS LOCATION IN INDIA
1.THE HIMALAYAN REGION
HIMALAYAN REGION
The Himalayan mountain wall stretching for about 5000 kms has many peaks in ts range including the Mt.EVEREST the tallest peak in the world. The climate in the mountain tracts is mainly influenced by altittude and comprises of alpine ,temperate and tropical vegatation depending on the Elevation.It has a charecteristic and unique vegatation comprising of Pine, deodars, rhododendrons, birches to name a few.
The region has about 876 species in 151 genera.The genera Aorchis, Bulleyia, Cleisocentron, Cryptochilus, Dickasonia, Didiciea, Diphylax, Diplomeris, Eriodes, Esmeralda, Evrardianthe, Risleya and stigmatodactylus extend also to the neighbouring zones and countries.In the Alpine zone Amitostigma, Aorchis, Cypripedium, Herminium, Didiciea, Cephalanthera, Epipactis, etc are found.Temperate Zone has Corybas himalaicus, Pleione humilus, P.hookerana, P.praecox, Satyrium napalense, Spiranthus Sinensis, etc. The sub tropical zone has many species including Anectochilus, Eulophia, Galeola, etc.. The tropical zone houses Phalenopsis, Eria, Oberonia, Vanda, Dendrobium, Flickingeria, Calanthe, Habenaria... to name a few.
Acrochaene and Jejosephia are the only two endemic genera.Cleisocentron is a small genus of three species found in the Eastern Himalayas, extending up to peninsular Malaysia.Dickasonia has only one species, D.vernicosa reported from Burma.There are a total of 195 species that are endemic to the region with Sikkim and Arunachal pradesh recording the maximum number of orchid species.
2.THE PENINSULAR REGION
WESTERN GHATS
The peninsular India has a big plateau highest in the south and west and tapering towards the East.The eastern edge is much broken and is known as the Eastern Ghats.The western edge of the Plateau is called the Sahyadri Range or Western Ghats.The eastern and Western ghats meet in the lofty plateau of Nilgiris Mountains in the south an important Biosphere.To the south of Nilgiris is the Cardamom Hills and also the location of the silent valley.The southern most region has a more humid climate and receives heavier rainfall.
The pressure of land from increasing population has stripped the mid elevation forests, resulting in a heavy loss in the forest cover of the present peninsula and an imminent danger of extinction of many species of plants. About 315 orchid species, 4 sub species and 3 varieties in 75 genera are reported from the region.The genera Smithsonia and Xenikophyton are endemic to the region.The genera Cottonia, Diplocentrum, Ipsea, Seidenfadeniella,Sirhookera and Taprobanea are found exclusive to the region and Srilanka. The genera of Satyrium napalense and Spiranthes sinensis found in the peninsula are common to also the Himalayas.
The main states that the species population gets divided into Maharshtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Kerala.In each of these states there are endemic zones that are charecteristic to the orchid flora.
3.THE ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS REGION
ANDAMAN NICOBAR ISLANDS REGION
Consisting of about a group of 319 islands and islets they are situated in the Bay of Bengal.The Andaman group covers a gross length of 464 km and Nicobar group of about 293 kms.The northmost island , the landfall island, is about 190 kms south of Burma and the south most island, about 150 kms northwest of sumatra.
There are arecord number of 104 species, 1 subspecies and 1 variety in 53 genera.
It has been reported that around 16 species and one variety are endemic out of which Grosourdya, Macropodanthus, Malleola, and Plocoglottis recorded are not found in Mainland India.The Burmese-Thai elements are represented by Bulbophylllum crassipes, B.rufinum, Cleisostoma elegans and Coelogyne quadratiloba are recorded from Andamans.
Malaysian elements are represented by Appendicula reflexa, Dendrobium pensile, Phalenopsis tetrapsis and Schoenorchis minutiflora, recorded from Nicobars. Continuous deforestation and tree felling has resulted in the loss of very many endemic species... Unless some kind of conservationery measures are not taken we may lose some rare species.
A collection of the species reviewed during our tours and located in the three zones of India, Thailand and Indonesia are recorded.
Most of our Orchid safari trips in species collection and identification has been spread over the past few years and we have recorded them as a story line in the Link below.. You can watch it as it unfolds.
ANTHURIUMS
CUTFLOWER ANTHURIUMS AND HYBRIDS
HELICONIAS
FLORAL HELICONIA AND GARDEN HELICONIAS
BROMELIADS
GUZMANIA, TILLANDSIA AND OTHER AIRPLANTS
CUTFLOWERS
Selection of cutorchids, anthuriums, heliconias, and other flowers.
GREENS
All types of green leafs and background decor elements used in flower decor.
LOOSE BLOOMS
A complete range of loose flowers used as edible or leis or for simple arrangements.
VANDAS
VANDACEOUS AND OTHER INTERGENERIC CROSSES
DENDROBIUMS
DENDROBIUMS AND ALLIANCES
MOKARAS
MOKARAS, ARANDAS AND KAGAWARAS
ONCIDIUMS
ONCIDIUMS AND TOLUMNIA HYBRIDS
ARANTHERAS
ARACHNIS AND ARANTHERA AND ALLIANCES
EPIDENDRUMS
FAMILY OF EPIDENDRUM AND HYBRIDS
CATTLEYAS
CATTLEYAS AND OTHER INTERGENERIC CROSSES
PHALENOPSIS
PHALENOPSIS PLANTS AND DORITIS GROUP
CYMBIDIUMS
CYMBIDIUMS AND INTERGENERIC ALLIANCES
BULBOPHYLLUMS
BULBOS OR CIRRHOPETALUMS
CATASETUMS
WONDERFUL CATASETUMS AND CLONES
RENENTHERAS
RENETHERAS AND INTERGENERICS
SPATHAGLOTTIS
SPATHOS ARE GROUND ORCHIDS
PAPHIOPEDILIUMS
PAPHS AS THEY ARE CALLED