Explanation of classifications??
 

I have kept orchids for many years and have finally decided I want to know more about their classification and interrelationships. I am looking for a book that will help, in general terms, with this understanding.

1. What, exactly, is an orchid? What makes it an orchid?
2. Why does this or that orchid fit into a certain tribe or sub- tribe?
3. How do different genera, or tribes relate?
4. It would also be nice to read, again in general, about the origin of genera and their culture.
I know you can find a lot of this on line but it is scattered all over the place and hard to pull together.

Any thoughts?
Thanks, Ed

The defining characteristic that really distinguishes the orchid family from somewhat similar related plants is in the flower. The male (stamen, anther) and female (ovary, stigma) parts are united in a single structure called the column, that part that sticks out of the center of the flower above the lip in most orchids. Tiny dust-like seeds, anthers reduced to 2 from 3, flowers with bilateral symmetry and roots covered in velamen are some other characteristics most orchids share. They also share many characteristics with related plant families like Iris, Allium and Hemerocallis families - flower parts (mostly) in groups of 3, leaves with parallel veins.

The orchid family is divided into subfamilies, tribes, subtribes and genera based on shared traits that are unique within each group, and increasingly on genetic analysis. Rather than trying to recreate something here that already exists I would refer you to the Wikipedia article on Orchidaceae and the articles on the subfamilies etc. that link from there. They really are pretty good, and easily found and linked together in one place. Then perhaps we could address some more specific questions here.

Thank you. I will give it a try.

If you look up Joe Arditti's book on orchids you will find reading to keep you busy for at least this winter. I took a course years ago from him at UC Irvine. He's hilarious.