Poisonous or parasitic orchids?

[Angurek]

I couldn't help but wonder if there are any parasitic or poisonous orchids out there. With so much diversity within the family, I don't think I'd be surprised if there were.

[Ray]

I have never heard of "poisonous" orchids, per se, but there are hallucinogenic ones (e.g., Oncidium cebolleta), so it seems plausible.

I do recall seeing a scientific article a few years back about the discovery of orchids that have no chlorophyll, and survive by consuming fungi.

[Tindomul]

I have read a paper on nonphotosynthetic orchis that cheat the fungi that should be in a symbiotic relationship with them. Orchids in the wild grow in mutualistic symbiosis with mychorrizal fungi. The fungi increase the plants uptake of water and minerals, the plant through photosynthesis fixes carbon (sugar) and sends extra fixed carbon to the fungus. But they discovered that two orchids that are non-photosynthetic, Cephalanthera
austinae and Corallorhiza
maculata actually only take from the fungus and never give back. The fungus gets its carbon from another plant, so its kinda of a three way thing. Its considered a parasite because the plants target specific fungal species. And its weird because you usually think of the parasite being inside the host, but here the parasite is the host, with the unsuspecting fungi living inside the roots of the orchid as they would normally do in other orchid species. I thought it was cool.

[Tindomul]

I'm not sure about this, but I have found a really old paper on the Orchids of Ohio, and it states that Cyprepedium reginea is poisonous to the skin like poison ivy. As well as C. parvifolium. I also have a chart in my office, Poisonous Plants of the Northeast and the first plant on that chart is C. acaule. It would be cool to ask orchidboarders who have come into contact with any of these species about the validity of these claims.

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...V10N02_024.pdf

[smartie2000]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I'm not sure about this, but I have found a really old paper on the Orchids of Ohio, and it states that Cyprepedium reginea is poisonous to the skin like poison ivy. As well as C. parvifolium. I also have a chart in my office, Poisonous Plants of the Northeast and the first plant on that chart is C. acaule. It would be cool to ask orchidboarders who have come into contact with any of these species about the validity of these claims.

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...V10N02_024.pdf

I was going to suggest the same thing. But I grow parviflorum and reginae, and have never gotten a reaction. It might be a problem for people with more sensitive skin

[Angurek]

Tindomul, that was an interesting article. That was a great key to the orchid species of Ohio.

Looked at the oncidium Ray talked about. Looking at it, you'd never expect it to have such an effect.

I also looked at the parasitic plants, and they're pretty cool. Corallorhiza maculata Kinda resembles a blood red asparagus with orchid blooms.

Very interesting, all of this. I guess I should have known it would exist, the orchid family being so large and all.

[Tindomul]

I also came across an article or two about Epipactis orchids having poisonous nectar, but it turns out the nectar is actually contaminated by fungi and bacteria that make it poisonous. The contamination occurs when wasps are trying to eat the nectar, which is what the plant wants, so it does not count as a poisonous plant. hehe.

[Orchidjim]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I'm not sure about this, but I have found a really old paper on the Orchids of Ohio, and it states that Cyprepedium reginea is poisonous to the skin like poison ivy. As well as C. parvifolium. I also have a chart in my office, Poisonous Plants of the Northeast and the first plant on that chart is C. acaule. It would be cool to ask orchidboarders who have come into contact with any of these species about the validity of these claims.

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...V10N02_024.pdf

Well, yes in a way those Cyp's are somewhat irritating to the skin, but not unless you are quite sensitive.

[Gin]

I have been in contact with a lot of these, C. acaule no skin reaction , but never tried to eat it Gin

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Gin

I have been in contact with a lot of these, C. acaule but never tried to eat it Gin

Which is something I cannot claim I wont do.