Information on orchids should include the facts about what makes the orchid such a unique flower. Aside from its beauty which can be described as dainty, delicate, gorgeous or even regal, orchids have thousands of varieties that make it a very interesting flower to cultivate. Orchid flowers grow in all kinds of environments but they seem to love the lush tropics the best since more varieties grow there than anywhere else. It is also one flower that has been successfully bred in flower farms which makes it one of the most viable commercial flowers and a staple in bridal bouquets and arrangements. Its elegance makes it perfect for corsages and its unique form make it an inspiration for jewelry designers around the world. Hobbyists and plant lovers have devoted much time and expense to the care of a plant touted as queen of the flowers. They can't be blamed because once it blooms, you're hooked forever.

Thanks to William Cattley, the first person to bloom an orchid, the flower world has come to love this glorious flower. Unfortunately, at the height of the orchid frenzy, forests were ravaged because of this prized flower. Thankfully, new laws and responsible orchid lovers put a stop to these acts. Still, these actions only served to heighten the mystique of this flower. Information on orchids should also include ecological awareness about the sourcing of the plant and not just its care. As delicate as it looks, the orchid is one of the hardiest plants on earth. It has been known to thrive in every continent and has lived for 120 million years. There are over 35 000 varieties and some even remain undiscovered. Also careful breeding continues to produce more hardy and magnificent flowers. Since unusual varieties can be somewhat costly, it is likely that orchid culture will continue to thrive.

Even without man's help, orchid flowers ensure their propagation through different means. Utilizing its own structure and qualities to attract pollinators like insects and birds, the orchid can pollinate with no problem as long as nature takes its course. The structure of the orchid flower is different from most flowers in the sense that its parts aren't built in the usual way that most flowers are. First of all, its petals and sepals are fused together and it is one of few commercial flowers that have a 'lip'. Some say its design resembles that of a male body part so that it has been touted as an aphrodisiac in certain cultures. The name orchid in itself is said to be derived from that particular male appendage. Thus, the orchid's mystique has increased even more along with the demand.

Another unique feature of the orchid flower is the structure of its leaves. Unlike other flowering plants that have plenty of leaves, the orchid flower only has a few. And the few leaves it has are firm and have straight lines or ridges that go from the stem to the edge of the leaves. Although the flowers are certainly the main attraction, it's firm and shiny leaves make it quite complimentary to the different colors of the flowers. The colors of the orchid flower are as numerous as its variety. The white variety is most in demand for weddings. Then there are yellows, oranges, peaches, greens, violets, reds and even blue. Almost every color of the rainbow can be found in the thousands of orchid varieties. You just need to pick the kind and color of orchid you want. There is also a variety of sizes ranging from big to tiny.