How Orchids Are Unique From Other Orchids and Other Flowers
Orchids are very unique different plants. Orchid flowers have 3 sepals and 3 petals that alternate around the center of the flower. Some of these parts are not easily recognizable because of their size, shape, or coloration. In some, the sepals look just like the petals creating much confusion. Just remember that the largest part, called the lip or labellum, is a petal and that the sepals and petals alternate. Then you will be able to identify which are petals and which are sepals.
In the center of the flower is a column that is club shaped. It is a combination of male and female reproductive parts in one location. One part produces the pollen and the other part receives the pollen but they are separated in such a fashion as to require a bee, wasp, fly, gnat, butterfly, moth, bird, or ant to transport the pollen from one section to the other. In fact, each specie of orchid will require a specific insect to perform that pollination and only that one insect can be successful. The specific insect is usually attracted by a specific fragrance that is attractive to that one insect and no other.
For instance, Charles Darwin hypothesized in his 1862 book that the Madagascar orchid, angraecum sesquipedale, was pollinated by a moth with a tongue about one foot long since the nectar spur of the flower is up to 30 cm long and nectar only fills the lowermost few centimeters. His critics thought this ridiculous until 41 years later that moth was discovered and since recorded as pollinating that and other orchid species.
Small and Large White Cabbage Butterflies
Pieris is a beautiful butterfly that is a member of order Lepidoptera and family Pieridae. The two species of this butterfly are known the small white and the large white butterflies. Small white butterfly is scientifically known as Pieris rapae and the large white is P. brassicae. Both these are commonly known as Small and Large Cabbage butterflies. Small white is small to medium size in length while the large white is of considerable size.
Small white is commonly distributed in Europe, North Africa and Asia and has been introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand accidentally where they have become dangerous pests of cabbage and cruciferous crops. Large white are of common occurrence in Europe, North Africa and Asia to Himalayas, often in meadows, gardens and parks. It is a strong flier and also known to undergo migration. They have attained the status of pest in North America as are known to damage cabbage and other members of mustard family.
The small white butterfly looks like the small version of the large white butterfly. Upper side is creamy white in colour with black tips continuing towards the forewings. Females also bear two black spots in the center of forewings. Under wings are yellowish with black speckles. It is sometimes confused with moths. The adult shares a wing span of 32-47 mm. In the large white butterflies the wings are white with black tips extending towards the tips of the forewings both in male and female. The female also bears two black spots in the center of the forewings as in the small whites. The underside is greenish and acts as a potent source of camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Black markings are more prominent in the summer brood. The wing span of adults varies from 5-6.5 cm in length.
Background And History Of Orchids (Orchidaceae Family)
The orchid family is not only the largest but one of the most diverse plant flowering families in the world. The orchid was one of the first plants to evolve on earth, it was around in the time of the dinosaur, over 120 million years ago. Given the length of time they have been around it shouldn’t be surprising that there are over 35,000 species with hundreds of thousands of hybrids.
The most famous orchid in the world is the vanilla orchid (planifolia). Coca Cola is the largest customer of vanilla, they use the seed for flavouring. Madagascar is the world’s largest producer. Orchids are very beautiful plants and that is why so much time and care is put into growing them. Vanilla on the other hand is grown for its commercial value rather than for its appearance but it is labour intensive. The vanilla crop is the main source of income for many independent farmers in less developed countries.
Reproduction
