"In
the case of Angraecum sesquipedale, a species from Madagascar, on
observing the 30cm spur in the lip, Charles Darwin theorised that,
since the nectar was at the bottom of the spur, a pollinator must exist
with a tongue at least that long. Otherwise the orchid could never be
pollinated. At the time, he was not believed. However, long after
Darwin's death, the predicted pollinator was discovered, a hawk moth
now named Xanthopan morganii praedicta (praedicta meaning predicted).
It had an appropriately long proboscis. The specific name
'sesquipedale' means 'one foot and a half', referring to the length of
the spur. This is a perfect example of mutual dependence of an orchid
and a specific pollinator".
Orchids are one of the largest groups of flowering plants, consisting of some 25,000 to 30,000 species.
Orchids are found in nearly every climatic condition except deserts.
The name "orchid" comes from the Greek root orkhis, meaning "testicle."
John Lindley is considered the father of orchid cultivation.
In their natural environment, each orchid species is dependent upon a specific type of insect to carry out its pollination.
There are
two principal types of orchids: terrestrials, which feature extensive
below-ground root systems, and epiphytes, characterized by their aerial
or exposed root structure.
Before
their true nature was understood, epiphytic orchids were thought of as
parasitic plants impossible to grow under controlled conditions.
