Source: DTE
Context: The wild orchids of North Bengal, known for their beauty, fragrance, and medicinal properties, are disappearing due to deforestation in their natural habitat.
About Orchids:
| Description | |
| Orchids are a diverse group of flowering plants known for their vibrant and intricate flowers. They belong to the family Orchidaceae.
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| Regions | Orchids can be found in various habitats around the world, including tropical rainforests, mountains, and even deserts. India has over 1200 species of Orchids ( 388 are endemic to India, out of which 128 are endemic to the Western Ghats) |
| Three Types of Orchids | Epiphytic: They are plants growing on another plant including those growing on rock boulders and are often termed lithophytes. About 60% of all orchids found in India are epiphytic. |
| Terrestrial: They are plants growing on land and climbers. These grow directly on the soil and are found in large numbers in temperate and alpine regions. | |
| Mycoheterotrophic: They are plants which derive nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi that are attached to the roots of a vascular plant. | |
| Distribution | |
| Himalayan Zone: Richest in orchid species | |
| Northeast India: Highest species concentration | |
| Western Ghats: High endemism of orchids | |
| Highest Number of Orchid Species: Arunachal Pradesh> Sikkim> West Bengal | |
| International Protection | Orchid family listed under Appendix II of CITES, banning global trade of wild orchids |
| Uses | Aesthetic importance; Herbal medicine; Cultural and spiritual importance; Vanilla is produced from Vanilla planifolia orchid |
