The word orchid is derived from a Greek word ‘Orchis’ (Theophrastus, 370- 285 BC). The orchid is regarded as the most evolved monocotyledon plant in the family of Orchidaceae.
The number of orchid species equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about four times the number of mammal species. It also encompasses about 6–11% of all seed plants. The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species).
The family also includes Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants such as Phalaenopsis and Cattleya. Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century, horticulturists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.
Distribution
Orchidaceae are cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat apart from glaciers. The great majority are to be found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central America, but they are also found above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia, and even two species of Nematoceras on Macquarie Island, close to Antarctica
The rough overview of their distributions are as follow:
- Tropical America: 250 to 270 genera
- Tropical Asia: 260 to 300 genera
- Tropical Africa: 230 to 270 genera
- Oceania: 50 to 70 genera
- Europe and temperate Asia: 40 to 60 genera
- North America: 20 to 26 genera
Malaysia is one of the country located in Tropical Asia and it has beautiful natural forests, rich in wild orchid species. Some of these exotic wild orchids such as the Arundina graminifolia and Cybidium finlaysonianum are found along the highways or open areas in Malaysia
Map of Malaysia:
The biggest wild orchid in Malaysia is the Tiger orchid, Grammatophyllum speciosum. This sugar cane-like plant can be found in the villages where the people collect the flowers from the jungle. On the other hand, the size of a wild orchid can be as small as a twenty cent coin, for example, the tiny Corybas holttumii which is found in cool and humid highland areas. Other precious wild orchids are the Slipper’s orchid,Paphiopedilum niveum and Paphiopedilum stonei, which enjoy good demand. Phalaenopsis bellina, an example of a butterfly orchid, is found only in the Sarawak jungle.
A picture of some of Tiger orchid:
Example of location and species:
Generally, wild orchids can grow on ground as terrestrial orchid, on trees as epiphytes or on rocks as lithophytes. In Malaysia, epiphyte orchids are the most dominant compared to the other two groups. Different types of wild orchid species can be found in highland to lowland forests or even on the rocky limestone hills and the humid peat swamp forests.
Spathoglottis plicata, a terrestrial orchid is commonly found in highlands. This palm-like orchid blooms purple flowers, found abundantly along the route to Cameron Highlands or Genting Highlands. Dendrobium crumenatum, the pigeon orchid usually dominates big trees in lowland areas.
This orchid blooms plenty of scented and showy white flowers, usually a few days after a sudden heavy rain on a hot evening. Saprophyte orchids can also be found on a layer of humus on the ground. This orchid usually beares small, tiny scaled leaves with a whitish transparent stem.
Wild orchids are highly endemic which means that they are only found in certain areas and nowhere else. This could be due to the different adaptation approaches of various wild orchids to the environment. We found white Paphiopedilum niveum only at the dry rocky limestone areas in the northern part of Perlis and Langkawi Island but not in other places in Malaysia.
Paphiopedilum stonei is only found at the wet and humid limestone areas in Bau and Padawan areas in Sarawak. The orchids in Mount Kinabalu in Sabah are highly endemic and the Paphiopedilum rothschildianum is one such orchid.
Unlike the hybrid orchid plants, the size and shape of the plants as well as the flower of wild orchids can be quite varied. One can easily mistake a terrestrial Habenaria lobbii or a saprophyte Gastrodia javanica for a herbaceous plant. The unique plant and flower structure of wild orchids has led to a high demand in the market.
The type of orchid
For the past twenty years, logging and clearing of natural forests to make way for development is threatening wild orchid species. As many of these orchids have yet to be botanised, they are awaiting discovery especially in Sabah and Sarawak. Rules and regulations should be strengthened to protect and conserve these wild orchids before they become extinct.
Generally, wild orchids can grow on ground as terrestrial orchid, on trees as epiphytes or on rocks as lithophytes. In Malaysia, epiphyte orchids are the most dominant compared to the other two groups. Different types of wild orchid species can be found in highland to lowland forests or even on the rocky limestone hills and the humid peat swamp forests.
Spathoglottis plicata, a terrestrial orchid is commonly found in highlands. This palm-like orchid blooms purple flowers, found abundantly along the route to Cameron Highlands or Genting Highlands. Dendrobium crumenatum, the pigeon orchid usually dominates big trees in lowland areas.
This orchid blooms plenty of scented and showy white flowers, usually a few days after a sudden heavy rain on a hot evening. Saprophyte orchids can also be found on a layer of humus on the ground. This orchid usually beares small, tiny scaled leaves with a whitish transparent stem.
Wild orchids are highly endemic which means that they are only found in certain areas and nowhere else. This could be due to the different adaptation approaches of various wild orchids to the environment. We found white Paphiopedilum niveum only at the dry rocky limestone areas in the northern part of Perlis and Langkawi Island but not in other places in Malaysia.
Paphiopedilum stonei is only found at the wet and humid limestone areas in Bau and Padawan areas in Sarawak. The orchids in Mount Kinabalu in Sabah are highly endemic and the Paphiopedilum rothschildianum is one such orchid.
Unlike the hybrid orchid plants, the size and shape of the plants as well as the flower of wild orchids can be quite varied. One can easily mistake a terrestrial Habenaria lobbii or a saprophyte Gastrodia javanica for a herbaceous plant. The unique plant and flower structure of wild orchids has led to a high demand in the market.
The type of orchid
For the past twenty years, logging and clearing of natural forests to make way for development is threatening wild orchid species. As many of these orchids have yet to be botanised, they are awaiting discovery especially in Sabah and Sarawak. Rules and regulations should be strengthened to protect and conserve these wild orchids before they become extinct.
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