In Europe, an interest in orchids can be traced back to Greek and Roman times. At that time, people knew only of the terrestrial orchids, which were vastly different from the tropical epiphytes.
Like many ancient civilizations, the Greeks drew on the resources of the natural world, and the tubers and roots of most European terrestrial orchids were valued for various medicinal purposes. They studied the curious orchid flowers and believed that the different shapes revealed the beneficial effects of the plant. For example, the man orchid (Aceras anthropophorum) was thought to be an aphrodisiac because the shape of the lip resembled the figure of a man.
As his boat approached the shore of this previously unvisited island, the natives met them with hostility. Frightening warriors, with hair dyed bright golden yellow and bodies streaked with coloured paint, threatened them as they approached. Robbelin considered turning back, but then he noticed that among the bright yellow heads were flowers of the sought-after Phalaenopsis.
He made gestures of friendship and was allowed to land. He exchanged gifts in return for being shown where the red Phalaenopsis grew, and later left the island laden with a valuable cargo.
The plants eventually arrived in England and were named Phalaenopsis sanderiana. The flowers, however, were never red, but a pale rosy-pink. Another of Sander's collectors was making further discoveries in New Guinea. He encountered a village where the tribesmen laid the bones of their dead in graveyards and then decorated them with the finest orchids they could find.
The Aztecs grew this vine-like orchid, which they called Tlilxochitl, for the seed capsules, which were ground and mixed with the brown seeds of the cacao plant to produce a bitter drink that is the basis of the chocolate we have today.
This was a condition insisted upon by the natives, who were persuaded to relinquish parts of their valued ancestors only after mirrors, beads and a roll of brass wire had been exchanged. The plants, still attached to the skulls, and the idols were sold as one lot and purchased by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, in whose collection they remained for many years. D. schroderianum was named after Baron Schroeder, who was a patron of Frederick Sander.
Phalaenopsis are strikingly beautiful, and have been popular among orchid collectors since the golden era of orchid hunting. This orchid is Phalaenopsis Flare Spots.
Like many ancient civilizations, the Greeks drew on the resources of the natural world, and the tubers and roots of most European terrestrial orchids were valued for various medicinal purposes. They studied the curious orchid flowers and believed that the different shapes revealed the beneficial effects of the plant. For example, the man orchid (Aceras anthropophorum) was thought to be an aphrodisiac because the shape of the lip resembled the figure of a man.
As his boat approached the shore of this previously unvisited island, the natives met them with hostility. Frightening warriors, with hair dyed bright golden yellow and bodies streaked with coloured paint, threatened them as they approached. Robbelin considered turning back, but then he noticed that among the bright yellow heads were flowers of the sought-after Phalaenopsis.
He made gestures of friendship and was allowed to land. He exchanged gifts in return for being shown where the red Phalaenopsis grew, and later left the island laden with a valuable cargo.
The plants eventually arrived in England and were named Phalaenopsis sanderiana. The flowers, however, were never red, but a pale rosy-pink. Another of Sander's collectors was making further discoveries in New Guinea. He encountered a village where the tribesmen laid the bones of their dead in graveyards and then decorated them with the finest orchids they could find.
The Aztecs grew this vine-like orchid, which they called Tlilxochitl, for the seed capsules, which were ground and mixed with the brown seeds of the cacao plant to produce a bitter drink that is the basis of the chocolate we have today.
This was a condition insisted upon by the natives, who were persuaded to relinquish parts of their valued ancestors only after mirrors, beads and a roll of brass wire had been exchanged. The plants, still attached to the skulls, and the idols were sold as one lot and purchased by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, in whose collection they remained for many years. D. schroderianum was named after Baron Schroeder, who was a patron of Frederick Sander.
Phalaenopsis are strikingly beautiful, and have been popular among orchid collectors since the golden era of orchid hunting. This orchid is Phalaenopsis Flare Spots.
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