are any orchids eatible

[dendro photo]

Well i was just thinking 75% of taste is smell and a lot of orchids smell really good. I have tasted the sap of some and it is very sweet tasting and i didn't die so who knows?

[WhiteRabbit]

hehe - I think almost all are non-toxic
and we do use orchid seeds for delicious taste (vanilla)

they are usually listed as "safe" houseplants for pets and small children who may gnaw on plants

and -

The underground tubers of terrestrial orchids (mainly Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchid)) are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot beverage salep or in the Turkish ice-cream (Dondurma - salepli dondurma)

Orchidaceae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[got ants]

I believe they are in fact used in diets in indigenous cultures. Mostly the larger round pseudobulbs are used as a starch. Eulophias in Africa come to mind, as do Encyclias in the new world.

I have an Encyclia hybrid with huge p-bulbs that look's tasty. I'm thinking thinly sliced and sauteed with some truffle oil...MMMmmm!!!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As was mentioned:

Vanilla (seeds for flavoring)

Eulophia (pseudobulbs or corms for food)

Satyrium (tuberoids for food)

Dendrobium (canes for traditional Asian medication)

certain species of Habenaria (tuberoids for traditional Asian medicines)

There may be more.

Misbehaving cats and dogs love to chew on them occasionally, btw.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As a side note...

The word is "edible", not "eatible", unless you're intentionally being humorous.

Sorry, couldn't help it.

[UKCat]

The roots are used for making ice cream in Turkey
Here is a link to a newspaper in the UK
Turkey: The search for Mr Whippy - Telegraph

[CTB]

How interesting, the medical purposes I'd like to know more about. Maybe that's why so many human home remedies work, even the vodka kicker.

Thanks King saved me a post.

[Angurek]

I was thinking about starting a thread about edible orchids...

I remember reading something about people using dried Jumellea leaves to brew tea (can't remember where I read this).

[dendro photo]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

As a side note...

The word is "edible", not "eatible", unless you're intentionally being humorous.

Sorry, couldn't help it.

I can take apart and put together almost anything but spelling is not my gig.

[Daethen]

Hmmmm......So my excuse for the next few orchids I buy is: I have to have them so that we can eat! Wonder if the family will buy that one?