Orchids Site
	Susan Taylor BellaOnline's Orchids Editor

Aerial Roots
Aerial roots are those pesky green/white roots that wander all over the place.

Alliance
An alliance is a closely related group of orchids which can be interbred.

Alliance
Article on orchid Alliances.

Backbulb
A backbulb is a pseudobulb which has lost its leaves, but remains green.

Calyx
The Calyx is the combined word used for the sepals of an orchid flower.

Corolla
The Corolla is the combined three petals of an orchid flower.

Epiphytes
Epiphyte means a plant that grows on another.

Glossary of Orchid Awards
Here´s some help in understanding more of the information on an orchid tag -- the information that´s abreviated after the end of the orchid name.

Hybrids
What is an orchid hybrid? What are the advantages of buying a hybrid?

Inflorescence
An inflorescence is the stem which holds your beautiful orchid flowers.

Lip or Labellum
The lip is a specialized petal, unique to orchids.

Lithophytes
Lithophyte means a plant that lives on stones.

Mericlones
What is an orchid mericlone? What are the advantages of buying a mericlone?

Monopodial
Examples of monopodial orchids are Phalaenopsis and Vanda.

Perianthe
Perianthe is the name used to indicate the complete sterile part of the orchid flower.

Petal
The three petals on an orchid are the true flower.

Pseudobulbs
A pseudobulb provides your orchid with a built-in source of nourishment.

Sepal
The sepals protect the petals in an orchid flower.

Sympodial
Examples of sympodial orchids are Cattleya, Dendrobium and Oncidium.

Terrestrial
Terrestrial orchids grow in the ground, mostly in leaf clutter at the base of trees.