Does this qualify as a black orchid?

[dimshane]

I've seen some very dark purple or dark red orchids labeled as black. Does this one qualify as such? It's a very unique dendrobium either way. First bloom for me. I don't have an ID for it. Thought I would share!

[Ray]

I would not say it's black, but it's damned close, and really nice - and that's coming from someone who is not fond of dendrobiums.

Orchids don't really have a black pigment, but the combinations of several pigments can simulate it.

[Roberta]

That is a beauty. I'd call the color "dark purple" and I love it!

The various orchids that are described as black really do look black with front lighting (really difficult to photograph). If lighted from behind, they're revealed to be very dark, saturated burgundy. Example would be something like "Fdk. After Dark 'Black Pearl' Here's a not-so-good photo of that one.

[Keysguy]

That's pretty but on my color palate that would be called a deep grape purple, not black.

As Roberta posted, the closest I've seen to "black" are some of Fred Clarke's Catasetum crosses and even when you get those in bright enough light you can see some deep red in them.

[lobotomizedgoat]

I would call that midnight purple. Very nice!

I think the darkest I've seen (though, not in person) was Monnierara Millennium Magic. If I recall the video I saw it in correctly, I'd say it was significantly darker than the Fdk. Midnight Sky 'Dark Pegasus' x Ctsm. John C. Burchett that bloomed for me this winter.

[Roberta]

That's definitely in the "black orchid" category - Another gorgeous Fredclarkeara - beautiful form, and while it's hard to tell from the photo, I think the later generations are larger than Fdk. After Dark. These are hard to photograph amd show the detail - your photo captures it well.

How dark these look is, in part, a function of the lighting - with front lighting, quite black. If you light it from behind, more like rich deep burgundy stained glass.