Help With Some Unfamiliar Terms Please?

[MothLover]

So, I'm really new to orchids in general, and this may be a common occurring question but what do the terms peloric and noid mean in reference to orchids?

[quiltergal]

Welcome to OB! NOID is a plant with NO IDentification.....in other words you might know it's a Phal. but haven't got a clue what the grex name is. Peloric is a mutation where the petals grow to imitate the lip of the flower. Here is a shot of my Phal. Flower Child 'Carmela' which is peloric.

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by MothLover

So, I'm really new to orchids in general, and this may be a common occurring question but what do the terms peloric and noid mean in reference to orchids?

Mothlover,

The term 'peloric' in orchids refers to the two petals developing very similar to the labellum. Peloric flowers are basically symmetrically developed flowers, which differ from the "norm" (asymmetrical), or guidelines for a typical orchid flower or that taxon. Peloria is a mutation, and can either be sporadic (occurring once or in a number of flowers) or in the plants genes (present in all flowers). There are some case of peloria that are not as severe and only mimic colorations of the labellum on the normal shaped petals.

The term 'noid' just means 'No ID', dunno what it is!

-Pat

[Dorothy]

Peloric - from the OB glossary - "A term used to describe an unusual condition where all three petals (instead of just one) have developed to mimic the Labellum (lip) in shape and/or color.
Coined by Darwin to describe a mutant flower that has many planes of reflectional symmetry."
It can be caused by genetic mutation or environmental stress - (one example may be additional plant hormones)

NOID - means No Identification - no tag with an official (and/or registered) name, be it species or hybrid, has been provided.

[Dorothy]

Hey you guys beat me to it

[cb977]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Welcome to OB! NOID is a plant with NO IDentification.....in other words you might know it's a Phal. but haven't got a clue what the grex name is. Peloric is a mutation where the petals grow to imitate the lip of the flower. Here is a shot of my Phal. Flower Child 'Carmela' which is peloric.

Terri...that Phal is wonderful!!!

[MothLover]

Thankyou very much

[Ray]

Actually, the definition everyone has given for peloria is only half right: Peloria is the presence of symmetry when none is expected. Yes, an orchid that had its petals mimicking the lip can be considered peloric, but don't forget that the same is true for one in which the lip is mutated to look like a petal - for example, Phal. Wold Class 'Big Foot' - (Here's Allen Black's photo: http://ablackorchid.com/PhalWorldClass2.jpg)