Among the orchids
Photo of Dendrobium Lindleyi courtesy of the U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory
There is a way to escape this Mid-Altantic winter and travel into exotica without purchasing a plane ticket.
The U.S. Botanic Garden, located at a subway stop in Washington, D.C., has some of its 5,000 orchid specimens on display from now until April 11.
There is more than just precious flowers in this show.
The Botanic Garden, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution Horticultural Services Division, has created a "Cultural Odyssey" to help us understand the role orchids have played in the arts, literature, exploration, jewelry and commerce.
The show features a creature and a living wall, both made entirely of orchids.
The U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays. There is no charge. You can take the Metrorail Blue or Orange line to the Federal Center SW or Capital South stations,
Need more to inspire you to visit these amazing flowers?
*With approximately 25,000 species, orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world. - *You can find orchids almost everywhere. Although they’re most prominent in tropical regions, they’re even found above the Arctic Circle in Greenland.
- *Orchid seeds are extremely tiny; a single seed capsule may contain 1,500 to 3,000 seeds.
- *Unlike most seeds, orchid seeds are too small to store their own food. In nature, the food is provided by a fungus, which must be present for the seeds to develop.
- *You can find orchids almost everywhere. Although they’re most prominent in tropical regions, they’re even found above the Arctic Circle in Greenland.
- *Many people believe that orchids are parasites, but that is a misconception. Orchids fall into three groups, those that grow in soil, those that grow in rocks and those that grow on other plants, or epiphytes. These plants need to grow above the ground to get enough sunlight, moisture and nutrients.
- New orchids are shown every week, as others go out of bloom. If you come every week, you’ll never see the same show twice.
- *Also on display, a timeline of orchid stamps and their history, orchid ties, glass, flatware, art, collectibles and awards.
Photo of Anguloa Virginalis courtesy of the U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory
Comments
I was able to visit the show prior to its closing in April. WOW, what a great eye pleaser to see the various assortment of Orchids they had on display. Very seldom will you see the variety you are able to see at a show like the one put on by the institute. If it every comes around again, be sure to take a day and some friends and do yourself a favor, get down to their and enjoy they eye candy.
Posted by: Jericho Jackson | July 27, 2010 7:26 AM