Thousands of rare orchids grow in Madagascar, many more yet to discovered

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

From the showstopper Cymbidiella pardalina, with its operatic scarlet lip, to the thumbnail-size yellow Angraecum rhynchoglossum, about a thousand species of orchids call Madagascar home. Known for their delicate details, these flowers exhibit remarkable resistance to wildfire and the severe drought now plaguing this biodiverse Indian Ocean island.

Orchids with underground tubers act as survival powerhouses, says Jeannie Raharimampionona, a Malagasy botanist, conservationist, and National Geographic Explorer. In her 22 years of award-winning work in defense of island flora, she has helped create a dozen refuges to protect plant species from deforestation and habitat loss. What continues to motivate her is the astonishing rate of flora discovery here. Even just “as a traveler, you could see an orchid that is new for science,” she says.

As there are 1000 orchids in Madagascar, the flora can be found on various types of surfaces. Some grow on the ground, tuber types grow under the ground, some on rice fields, and others thrive on inselbergs, highlands, ravines, and between savannas.

Terrestrial orchids or those that grow directly on the ground have thick fleshy rhizomes and are often mistaken for succulents. Although these types of orchids have small flowers, the leaves are eye-catching. Examples include Goodyera, Cheirostylis, Platylepis, and Zeuxine.

In the southwest area of the island, where there are spiny and dry forests, blooms one of the rarest orchid species, Grammangis spectabilis. Locals believe seeing even a single blossom to be a sign of good luck.

Malagasy genera Microcoelia, Aeranthes, Pectinariella, and Cryptopus have closed inflorescences but have no pseudobulbs. Some grow epiphytically, on plants and trees; others grow litophytically, on rocks and stones. An example is the Microcoelia aphylla, a species that does not bear true leaves. Its highly developed roots provide photosynthesis.

 Aerangis, Aeranthes, and Angraecum all have a back lip that extends to form a thin tube called a spur.

This is where the flower's nectar is found. The famous Darwin's Orchid, Angraecum sesquipedale, has the world's longest spur, up to 45 cm long.

The only insect is a small moth with a long proboscis that allows it to reach the sweet nectar. Several orchids from the three genera emit a sweet odor at night. In Madagascar, they are known as hanitriniala, which translates to "perfume of the forest."

The orchid Erasanthe Henrici Isaloensis is also noteworthy. It is critically endangered, with only a few dozen plants remaining. It blooms only in March in the Isalo National Park's gorges.

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/where-to-find-an-island-with-a-thousand-orchids, https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/51346/20220613/over-1000-orchids-grow-island-madagascar.htm

[lanadelgagabitc 750]

Beautiful flowers

[Horny Chicken 10,932]

[LUCARTPOP 5,965]

mother nature served 

[Guillaume Hamon 6,984]

We're still so ignorant about nature...

It's amazing to see these, thanks! 😘

[Vengaboy 1,421]

you gotta love this forum!

[Sneaky Oliver 22,973]

Orchids are so beautiful   slay tropical flower queens 

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

32 minutes ago, Sneaky Oliver said:

Orchids are so beautiful   slay tropical flower queens 

There are actually orchid species growing in northern latitudines too!  Cypripedium calceolus, for instance,  can be found from Romania all the way to Siberia.

Dactylorhiza Maculata grows in most of Europe, including Scandinavia.

Then there are also species that grow in southern Europe, including Serapias Lingua which can be found in Spain, France, parts of Greece.

[pachinko 10,753]

If you zoom in close enough on one of them, you can see Gaga. 

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

2 hours ago, pachinko said:

If you zoom in close enough on one of them, you can see Gaga. 

The biggest question would be if you can see her in this orchid:

Apparently the variety is named after her: Rhyncholaeliocattleya Lady Gaga 

[Dojo 19,823]

orchyds are THE flowers! 

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

On 6/17/2022 at 1:59 PM, FfFfFfFF said:

 

 

Randomly found a Twitter account dedicated to orchids growing on the British Isles: