Orchid is one of the oldest crops on Earth. Plants of this species appeared about 100 million years ago. Among horsetails and ferns, they became the first flowering crop. It is noteworthy that the appearance and structure of the orchid has been preserved since those ancient times. An unusual form of inflorescences, strong foliage and an airy root system have reached the present. In this article, we will look at the features and structure of the orchid.
General description of the species
Orchids are one of the largest families in the plant kingdom. Most of it is made up of perennial herbs. More rare are shrubs and woody vines. An orchid can have a wide variety of sizes. The smallest member of the family is only a few centimeters tall, while the largest is over 35 meters.
Most representatives of this culture are epiphytes. They grow on the trunks of other plants, using them as a support. It is noteworthy that at the same time such orchidsare not parasites. This type of plant is indifferent to soil, receives more sunlight and is less affected by herbivores.
The roots of this ancient plant are one of its most important organs. They perform a number of functions necessary for the normal existence of an orchid. First of all, they allow the stems of the plant to be fixed in the substrate. Because of this, they are in a vertical position. The second important point is the participation of the root system in the process of photosynthesis. Due to the structural features of the orchid, they share this role with the foliage. The third interesting feature of the roots of these plants is their ability to absorb moisture from the air and the bark of the crops on which the orchid grows.
Another significantly common type of orchid is called lithophytes. Compared to epiphytes, they are few in number. As a rule, such orchids grow in rocky terrain. The third group is terrestrial species. They are the second largest species.
The trunk of an orchid can have a variety of shapes. It is short, long, erect and creeping. It depends on the type of orchid plant, structure and its species characteristics. The culture has simple alternate leaves. The color of flowers can be the most diverse, as well as their size. Experts identify two types of inflorescences in an orchid: a simple spike with a single placement of flowers and a brush with many flowers growing along the stem.
Varieties of branching
The numerous orchid family can be divided according tofeature of the type of branching into two huge groups. The first species, which develops horizontally but produces several stems that grow vertically, is called sympodial. This variety of orchids includes Cattleya, Bulbophilums, Oncidium, Encyclia and many others. The stem of these plants grows horizontally and in most cases is under the substrate. It releases a large number of vertically growing shoots to the surface. On them, in turn, flowers, bulbs and other parts of the culture develop. It is noteworthy that such an orchid has a kind of main horizontal shoot. They call it a rhizome.
The second type of orchids are plants that have a monopodial shoot. Unlike sympodial, it has one growth point and grows vertically. The most prominent representatives of this species are: Wanda, Erangis, Phalaenopsis and Vanilla. But besides them, there are many more orchids of this type that grow in the wild. The structure of the orchid provides for the only main shoot, on which the crown bud is located. New pairs of leaves grow from it every year. Between the leaves there are axils where generative buds are located. They subsequently develop into an aerial root system and flower stalks. It is noteworthy that the stem itself can also have buds. However, they are vegetative. Their role is to develop new shoots if the main stem dies.
Orchid leaf structure
The foliage of a plant can have a variety of shapes and sizes. It depends on the type. For example, in monopodial orchids, the leaves are large and dense in structure. Under natural conditions, they play the role of a store of useful trace elements and moisture. Leaves are formed annually from shoots. Each shoot develops into two leaves. They grow strictly opposite each other. Experts call them pairs. It is noteworthy that the distance between the leaves in pairs can be very different. In some cases, it can be several millimeters, while in others such a gap reaches a meter or more. This feature depends on the type of orchid.
In turn, in sympodial types, the bulbs are responsible for the accumulation of nutrients. They are small formations located at the base of the shoot. In this regard, sympodial orchids have small, thin, narrow leaves. Depending on the variety, they can be small scaly and long whip-like.
Stem
Orchid does not have a stem in the full sense of the word. She has this role played by the escape. At the same time, the structure of the orchid shoot contributes to the rapid development of culture. In monopodial species, it is vertical, branches and leaves are located on it. Sympodial orchids have vertical shoots with branches of a rhizome or, as it is also called, rhizomes. This is the bearing part of the plant, its stem. With the help of epiphytic roots, the rhizome is attached to the substrate. It is noteworthy that the stems of this culture can be both short and very long. Plants in their natural environmentof this family, which have a long trunk, are attached to trees by aerial roots. When growing an orchid at home, a support is placed in a flower pot.
Root system
The structure of the orchid root varies depending on its species. Sympodial have processes that form on the lower part of the shoot. Monopodial differ in that their roots form along the entire length of the stem. However, although the location of the processes of different species is different, they perform the same functions. With their help, the orchid is attached to the substrate, absorbs moisture and nutrients.
Aerial orchid roots
These organs are the most unique part of the plant. The orchid is an epiphyte. Such plants are attached to other crops with the help of shoots, but are not parasites. They do not suck out nutrients, but simply lean on the plant. Orchids need this, for example, in order to get through the branches of trees to more lit places. The most prominent representative among epiphytes is the Phalaenopsis orchid, the structure and size of which allows it to be grown at home. It is noteworthy that the plants do not take root in the ground. They obtain all the substances necessary for normal development through photosynthesis. They are able to take moisture directly from the air. It is to perform these functions that they need roots located on the surface. In shape, they are long and thick processes. The outer layer of the roots consists of velamen. It is a kind of spongy tissue. With its help, the roots absorb moisture from the air. In addition, such a coating plays a protective role.
Bulbs
This interesting name was given to special formations that only sympodial orchids have. They are a thick, powerful shoot that acts as a reservoir for moisture and nutrients. At the same time, the word "bulb" in translation from Latin means "bulb". It is noteworthy that, in addition to such formation, there are also so-called pseudobulbs. They are the same growths, performing the same role, but having a different appearance. Pseudobulbs can be ovoid, oval or even conical. However, both types have a common name - tuberidium. They emerge from the vegetative shoots of the rhizome. In fact, bulbs are shoots of a special form. They also bud and develop leaves.
Orchid flowers
With all its variety of shapes and colors, the structure of an orchid flower is quite simple. Its distinctive feature is the central symmetry, that is, the six parts are located in two circles. The outer circle has three colored sepals. They, in turn, alternate with the petals of the inner circle. In the center is the labellum. The so-called "lip". It is noteworthy that only the orchid family has this part of the flower. "Lip" plays the role of a landing site for insects that pollinate the plant. The color and shape of the labellum can be very different. It directly depends on the type of orchid. orchid flowerscan have various shapes and sizes from 1 to 25 centimeters.
Structure of the peduncle
The peduncle of an orchid is a shoot on which flowers form. In turn, it grows from the sinus between the trunk and leaves of the plant. The peduncle changes annually. At home, it grows in autumn or spring. If the formation of a peduncle does not occur, this may mean that the plant does not have enough light. As a rule, the problem is eliminated by moving to a more lit place. When the flowers fall, the peduncle dries out. Experts recommend removing it, and then drying the sections.
Orchids are not only one of the oldest plant families on the planet, but also one of the most beautiful. Such a culture is able to bring its own zest to any interior, and knowledge of the structure of the plant will ensure proper care for it.
