Thermophylic orchids
 

Could someone define thermophylic as it applies to orchids?
I looked up the definition but it doesn't seem to apply as it describes a thermophylic organism as one that lives in an extremely hot environment . I don't think this would be the correct definition when applied to orchids.
Help please.

However it is spelled ---- eg. thermophilic or thermophylic, the term should probably be taken as a grain of salt for orchids.

Unless there is a particular orchid that grows in a hot spring or something ----- then just call them tropical orchids. Or if an orchid is known to handle warm to hot climates, then this will generally be known by the orchid community.

Given the previously accepted use of the term, I'm unaware of any way it does apply to orchids. Unless there are species endemic to the hottest, sunniest areas or natural hot springs, or that colonize areas of volcanic eruptions before the areas has cooled, no orchids to my knowledge would qualify as thermophiles.

Sure, there are species that prefer hot conditions - Phalaenopsis bellina comes to mind right away - but I'll bet the author who used that term wasn't particularly well versed in its meaning, chose to extend it, or was just trying to sound smart.

Thanks everyone... I appreciate your responses. I feel slightly less ignorant than I did a few minutes ago.