There are at least 20,000 to 30,000 species of orchids that are found in the wild. Added to these are, approximately, 10,000 orchid types. that are created by man, since 1856.

All of these orchids come under the family Orchidaceae, which is considered as the largest family of flowering plants. After the grasses, the Orchidaceae, is the second-most widely distributed plant family on the Earth.

The orchids have infiltrated every ecosystem and habitat, except the aquatic, on the Earth. Even the Arctic Circle, which is infamous for its sub-zero temperatures and adverse living conditions for man and the animals, have three types of orchids.

Orchids are found on every continent, except the Antarctica. Two of them, in Australia, have found shelter under the ground and their flowers can be seen above the ground for brief spell of time.

From a botanist’s point of view, there are only two orchid types: Terrestrial orchids and Epiphytes. The distinction between these orchid types is as follows. The orchids varieties or the species that grow on the ground come under the terrestrial orchid types.

On the other hand, orchid species that grow on trees or rocks, come under epiphytic orchid types. Let’s take a look at some of these types of orchids.

• Anota violacea

This orchid’s name signifies the absence of "ears" on the floral column. This orchid, a terrestrial orchid, is sometimes also referred to as Rhynchostylis violacea orchid.

These orchids are native of the Philippines. The flowers of this orchid are small in size and bloom in winter and spring, donning lavender and white colors. This orchid proliferates in warm temperatures, shady light and moisture.

• Anguloa uniflora

This orchid is named after Don Francisco de Angulo. It is also known as ‘boat orchid’ or ‘tulip orchid’. This terrestrial orchid is 18 to 24 inches tall and is native of the Colombian Andes.

The large fragrant flowers are creamy-white in color. One of petal, ‘lip’, of the flower is hinged. When insects enter the flower to remove nectar, the lip pushes it against the column to facilitate the pollination. These orchids bloom in spring and summer and love shade and medium to cold temperatures. Watering should be decreased after it has matured, to facilitate flowering.

• Ascocentrum curvifolium

The name of this orchid is a reference to its spurred lip. This orchid, an epiphytic orchid, is a six-inch tall, monopodial plant, that is native of Thailand.

The flowers of this orchid are half-inch in size and orange-red in color. This orchid’s bloom time, which favors medium to warm temperatures, shady light, and even moisture, is late spring and summer.

• Cattleya

This is the most popular orchid, having more than sixty species. The orchid is named after William Cattley, an orchid collector. This orchid type is native to the American tropics and is found from Mexico to Brazil. These epiphytic orchids which bloom in many small, narrow flowers are brightly colored and have narrow pseudobulbs and leathery leaves.

These orchids love medium to warm temperatures and bright but not harsh light. This orchid type also prefer air circulation, high humidity and effective drainage of water. When it comes to orchid gardening, the Cattleya orchids are preferred.