The History of Orchids

There is no way of knowing where orchids originated, but they are native to most continents and can thrive in nearly every climate. There are so many varieties and forms of orchids that it is impossible to talk about the "typical orchid."

In regards to the written history of orchids, the earliest references can be found in Chinese documents from 500 B.C. In 300 B.C., the Greek botanist Theophrastus wrote about orchids, and Aztec documents from the 17th century refer to Vanilla, which is a type of orchid.

The Modern History of Orchids

The modern history of orchids begins in the 1880s when William Cattley began cultivating orchids in England. The first orchid that he grew was the Cattleya Labiata orchid from Brazil. This orchid became so popular that it remains one of the most easily recognized type of orchid.

The orchid world contains over 30,000 natural varieties, and this does not include the hybrids which have been developed by horticulturalists. Even though many people think of orchids as a tropical plant, they can in fact be found in almost any type of climate including rain forests, mountains, and deciduous forests.

The history of orchids continues to evolve because these marvelous plants offer a never-ending source of beauty and fascination for anyone who falls under their spell.