Orchids usually make us think of a special occasion when sweethearts, husbands, children or others wish to please a lady being honored. Most of us think of them as being grown in a greenhouse or a florist’s shop, but in many countries they thrive in the wild outdoors. Altogether there are over 400 varieties.
Those sold by florists are definitely lovely. For the most part, these are known as “Queen of the Orchids” with a trumpet-like main flower, backed by broad, smooth petals. A wide variety in different colors is available (at a price!). Orchid plants are tough, and great numbers grow unseen in forests and hillsides of tropical areas and even in the swamps of colder lands. A few of the more unusual varieties are listed below.
One is the fly orchid. Its petals look like and have an odor similar to that of a female fly. This attracts a male fly. Although he is disappointed in what he finds, the plant benefits from his visit as he unknowingly transfers pollen from one plant to another. This produces seeds to grow more plants.
Another, known as the ophrys, makes a variety of images with its foliage and flowers, looking like spiders and other insects. These, attracting investigators, have their pollination needs taken care of the same way as the fly orchid does.
One of the most interesting is the bucket orchid. This one benefits by red ants that make their home among its roots and crawl into the flowers for nectar, again, transferring pollen from one flower to another. If it were not for the ants this orchid would soon die out, and if it were not for the orchid the ants would do the same. They need each other.
But some have been purposely designed by the Creator to be unattractive to insects, for they are best pollinated by hummingbirds. The birds’ long beaks help the pollination process when the birds dip them deep into the flowers to secure the sweet treat.
We could look at many other features of the lovely orchids if more space were available, but these examples help remind us of how wonderful the Lord God’s ways are with all His creation, so often using two living things of entirely different types to benefit one another in ways which only He can arrange.
He is your Creator, too, and He can do far more than take care of your lifetime needs on earth. His wonderful invitation stands open for you to have eternal life in heaven by coming to the Lord Jesus who died on Calvary’s cross. He gives eternal life and forgives the sins of all who admit they are sinners and accept Him as their Saviour. That is the pathway to true happiness now and forever. Make sure it is your pathway!
ML-10/22/1989