Orchids are known for their delicate beauty, exotic character and graceful appearance. Orchids are thought of as tropical flowers but they actually grow naturally on every continent except Antarctica. They thrive in elevations from sea level to 15,000 feet. The Orchid family (Orchidacera) is one of the largest flowering plants in the world. It is said that there are between 20,000 to 30,000 different types with more being discovered each year! There is a great deal of folklore regarding Orchids. The ancient Greeks thought Orchids were a sign of virility. In fact Greek women believed if the father of their unborn child ate large, new Orchid tubers, that their child would be a boy. If the mother ate small, Orchid tubers, the child would be a girl. Orchids were believed to have various healing properties to ward off diseases. The Chinese believed that Orchids could cure lung illness and coughs. The Aztecs were said to drink a mixture of Vanilla Orchids with chocolate to give them power and strength. In Victorian England the Orchid was the symbol of wealth and luxury. These Orchids were grown by Linda Thorne at Seagrove Orchids in Seagrove North Carolina. |
