Of the world's 25,000 plus species of orchids,
approximately 95% are native to tropical or subtropical
regions around the globe. The largest of
plant families, Orchidaceae, has developed complex
strategies for survival and remarkable adaptations
to a wide range of habitats. Orchids occur naturally
on six continents; some even growing north of the
Arctic Circle.
Approximately 5% of orchid species grow in
temperate latitudes. Like most familiar plants, they
are terrestrial and have an annual cycle of growth
followed by winter dormancy. North America boasts
over 200 species plus several forms, varieties and
natural hybrids occurring from south Florida to
the far reaches of Alaska, from Canada's Maritime
Provinces to southern California and everywhere in
between. These are the focus of the Native Orchid
Conference.
Never abundant and often threatened by habitat loss, our
native orchids are uniquely adapted to one or more
of many unusual habitats. Unique combinations of
topography, geology, hydrology, geography and
climate create specific microclimates that determine
which species they can sustain. More accurately,
the adaptations of life forms to certain environmental
conditions determine which species will evolve
in a certain habitat. Orchids have highly complex
reproductive strategies (often involving a specific
pollinator), and interesting systems for nutrition that
assure the species' survival. This may explain why
most are nearly impossible to grow "in captivity".
The Native Orchid Conference endeavors to identify and preserve orchid habitat so that future generations may continue to enjoy these extraordinary wonders of nature. We welcome your participation and support!