Author(s): Kirankumar H, Nataraj SK, Rajasekharan PE, Souravi K, and Hanumanthappa M
Orchids are the most beautiful and unique group of plants in the angiosperm. They are ubiquitous in distribution and have a universal appeal. Taxonomically they represent the highly evolved family among monocotyledons with 600-800 genera and 25,000-35,000 species are highly variable in habitat and form. In India, Orchidaceae form 9% of our flora and are the largest botanical family of angiosperm. About 1300 orchid species had been reported from India scattered all over North Eastern Himalayas (600 species), North Western Himalayas (300 species), Maharashtra(130 species), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (70 species) and Western Ghats (200 species). Many species of Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda are renowned for their very showy and attractive flowers and their ornamental value. South-East Asia has developed into a major supplier of orchid hybrids.
