Editor's Weekly Ramblings 44

Friday 20th Feb 2004

Orchid Obsession

Flowers encapsulate a lot of perfection in a very small space. They give us scent to perfume our minds. Oxygen to breathe. Petals to enliven our touch. Colour to brighten our eyes and the power to say "I'm Sorry". Now, I mention this not because I am about to set up in business as a florist or an advertising copywriter (though offers are always welcome!) Or even because I have particularly upset anyone of late! But because I am currently reading a book about Orchids. (The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean - Amazon.com - Amazon.co.uk)

Orchids are really rather interesting when you read up on them. The name "orchid" comes from the ancient Greek root 'orkhis', meaning "testicle." So these flowers are not just for the ladies! The name is supposedly derived from the appearance of the root of some of the terrestrial (ground growing) flowers in Greece. Though, I suspect it probably has as much to do with some amusing Greeks sense of humour, as the anatomical similarities. The ancient Greek word for 'love' for example is 'agapao' and 'flower' is 'anthos'. Why not call them Agapthos - Love Flowers? Rrrrrr! Much Nicer!

Anyway, lexical fripperies aside, what is clear is that orchids have a very long history indeed. In his Materia Medica, the first century A.D. Greek physician Dioscorides conjectured that orchids influenced sexuality. They were also given a mention in the 'I Ching', and in China, the orchid was known as the "Plant of the King's Fragrance". Its aroma was legendary and much sought-after and Confucious commented on it. Over time it developed a reputation as being an aphrodisiac and was a staple in love potions. Orchids are also found just about everywhere, apart from Antarctica, and are very adaptable in terms of growing conditions. In 1728 the first book about orchids was published in Japan: "Igansai-ranpin". And in his Genera Plantarum of 1753, Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish Botanist who we have to thank for establishing a coherent plant naming system, listed eight genera of orchids and 69 species. Today there are perhaps 800 genera and (excluding hybrids) 35,000 species of orchid.