Orchids – a subject of study for some, a floral accessory for many. These evolutionarily headstrong plants maintain intricate balances in their respectful habitats. Orchidaceae is one of the largest and richest families of flowering plants found distributed across the globe. This family consists of 5 subfamilies, 880 genera and more than 25,000 species. About 1331 species of orchids belonging to 186 different genera are reported from India.
Why must we conserve orchids?
Many Orchid species are important in horticulture and hold immense economic importance apart from the ecological balances they maintain in various ecosystems. Few species are even reported to have medicinal values, especially in traditional Chinese medical science. Orchids depend on fungi and other insects to complete their life cycles, from germination to seed dispersal. Since Orchids have specificity in mycorrhizal and pollinator associations in addition to low germination rates, most of these plants are narrowly distributed in select few habitats. This makes them extremely vulnerable to habitat disturbance compared to other plants.
How are Orchids being conserved in India?
Why must we conserve orchids?
Many Orchid species are important in horticulture and hold immense economic importance apart from the ecological balances they maintain in various ecosystems. Few species are even reported to have medicinal values, especially in traditional Chinese medical science. Orchids depend on fungi and other insects to complete their life cycles, from germination to seed dispersal. Since Orchids have specificity in mycorrhizal and pollinator associations in addition to low germination rates, most of these plants are narrowly distributed in select few habitats. This makes them extremely vulnerable to habitat disturbance compared to other plants.
How are Orchids being conserved in India?
