Orchids

Orchids are the largest botanical family in existence, with over 850 genera and more than 25,000 species. All orchid species, apart from garden ones, are protected by international laws as threatened plants. They can be found all over the world except for in deserts and icy regions and all year round. In this area, you will mainly find species like: Anacamptis pyramidalis (shown in the photo), Orchis coriophora and Ophrys scolopax among many others. One orchid is very special thanks to its culinary use, as it provides vanilla. This orchid is Vanilla planifolia and it is mainly cultivated in Madagascar to harvest and sell the prized aromatic pods.