Dancing ladies & their slippers at orchid show
MANILA, Philippines - There is probably no other group in the plant kingdom as intriguing and mesmerizing as that of the orchid family (orchidaceae), where common names used to describe them seem to have been pulled out from some fairy tale or horror movie. Second only to the sunflower family (asteraceae), the orchid family is composed of over 20,000 orchid species with hundreds of new hybrids being developed yearly to the delight of orchid growers worldwide.
Common names used to describe the different forms, colors and scents of this interesting plant group have long been used and have added amusement to the orchid hobby. They are normally used for easy recall and to simplify the taxonomic names of the plants, which are usually tongue twisters.
The genus oncidium, for example is commonly called the “dancing lady†because of the close resemblance of its flower to a lady in a ball gown. As the wind blows and brushes on the long flowering spikes of the oncidium, they wiggle and look like little ladies dancing.
On the other hand, the “lady’s slippers†orchid is descriptive of the genus paphiopedilum. Each single flower resembles a tie-up sandal of a lady with its large cupped lip and two elongated petals that act as the shoelace.
Likewise, the “moth orchid†or the butterfly orchid, which is descriptive of the phalaenopsis, is called so because of the broad floral petals that flutter when the wind blows. Amazingly, the phalaenopsis has been widely bred that new color patterns on the petals make them look like real live butterflies in flight.
Intriguing names such as the “vampire orchid, scorpion orchid, spider orchid†or even the “ghost orchid†have always been part of the fascinating world of orchids. It is best to see them up-close and find out if they do stand up to their descriptive names.
The Philippine Orchid Society (POS) will be staging its 68th Annual Orchid and Garden Show on Feb. 28 to March 10 at the Flower Garden Area of the Quezon Memorial Circle, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. This year’s theme is “Orchids and Greens: Towards Achieving Ecological Balance†and will focus on promoting environmental awareness and conservation. Orchid displays will be set up and an orchid competition will be held to determine the best orchid in show. A plant bazaar will sell orchids and ornamentals at farm gate prices and free lectures will be held daily at 3 p.m. for the visiting public.
As a bonus to the viewing public the POS has invited the Philippine Bantam Fancier’s Association to hold their first Bantam Chicken Show within the orchid show on March 8 and 9. For details, call the POS secretariat at 929-4425 or mobile phone number 0917-8485468 or visit Facebook philorchidsociety@gmail.com.
