25,000 species and counting.

Today is National Orchid Day. For the flower aficionado, the orchid is, perhaps, one of Nature's most exotic jewels. Fragrant and delicate, orchids have thrilled humans (and frogs) for ages. To celebrate the orchid, I have assembled a few facts about the orchid that I think you might like!

1. Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants.
   They have also been around the longest as they are one of the oldest flowers in existence. Since varieties of orchids are found all over the world, it’s accepted that orchids were in existence prior to the separation of the continents.
2. There are more than 25,000 documented orchid species throughout the world.
   This means the number of orchids on the planet is four times the number of birds and four times the number of mammals! That’s A LOT of orchids!!
3. Although generally thought of as a tropical plant, orchids grow on every continent.
   From the Arctic Circle to the southernmost jungle (except Antarctica). They’re valued and thought of as beautiful across continents and cultures with varying meanings and customs surrounding their existence.
4. The smallest orchid is the size of a dime.
   This amazing orchid is small enough to fit in a dollhouse!
5. The vanilla orchid (and its vanilla bean) is the only commercially grown orchid crop (Vanilla planifolia).
   Orchids yummy enough to eat and cook with!
6. Orchids have the tiniest seeds in the world.
   This makes them a challenge to grow and cultivate. They take forever to sprout and actually turn into a plant! Growing orchids from seeds are only for the patient and very green-thumbed.
7. There can be up to 3 million seeds in a single orchid seedpod.
   You’ll never see them though, they are the size of a speck of dust and are only visible under a microscope. Part of the reason for their small size is that they lack endosperm and have no nutrients within. They require contact with a particular fungus to germinate and grow. We find this fact particularly interesting!
8. It takes patience to grow an orchid.
   The plant’s first flowers won’t appear until at least 5 to 7 years after germination. The houseplants you find in stores are often a decade old. From duck to swan!
9. Some orchid flowers bloom for mere hours, while others last up to half a year.
   Phaleanopsis orchids are versatile enough to last in a cut flower arrangement longer than most. That’s why we like Phalaenopsis orchids the best!
10. Orchid flowers always grow upside down when mature.
    The orchid can have enough blooms to be heavy enough for the orchid to hang down. Gravity always wins!
11. Orchid plants can live to be up to 100 years old.
    Who said orchids are hard to grow??
12. Orchids have become one of the most popular houseplants of all time.   

I don't know about you, but I found these facts pretty amazing! Who knew that orchids can live to be 100? I love flowers of all kinds, from the simple daisy to the glorious and complex orchid. So while I'm featuring spring flowers each Friday this month, I couldn't let this opportunity to celebrate the outstanding orchid go by unmentioned.
To conclude, dear reader, I am suffering a broken heart this morning, like many other humans and frogs around the globe. The fire at Notre Dame de Paris has left me deeply saddened. If you've been lucky enough to visit this cathedral, as I have on several occasions, you know that this iconic structure is at the heart of the City of Lights. It will take years to rebuild and will never be quite the same. Still, I just can't imagine visiting this glorious city without seeing her standing proud and welcoming. I'd like to conclude by giving my deep appreciation to the fire and emergency workers in Paris for doing such an awesome job of saving as much of this treasure as they did. You have the eternal gratitude of this frog. The world has suffered a loss but Our lady of Paris will rise again from the ashes. ​Je t'aime Paris. 
                                                                       PEACE.

http://plainviewpure.com/12-incredible-orchid-facts-no-one-ever-told/