Orchids are considered one of the most attractive and sought-after plants that come in many colors. With more than 30,000 species growing worldwide, the Orchidaceous family is the largest pack of flowering plants on the entire planet.
Succulents come with thick stems or leaves containing sap which is used for storing water. They grow best in a dry climate and don’t thrive well in a humid climate. They have Xerophytic qualities as they can survive a prolonged period without water and are strong and can store water.
But, are orchids succulents?
Well, it has been found that Orchids share similar characteristics as succulent plants as they also can survive the harsh climate and in areas with very little light and less water availability. In fact, orchids like the epiphytic orchids are well known to be succulents.
How do you tell a plant is succulent?
Succulents come with certain distinct features and unique characteristics that help them to be identified. The most distinctive feature of these category plants is their looks, and one can easily differentiate them from other plants from their leaves. They are way too thicker and fleshier than normal plants,
which often feels like touching a rubber. The root system of the succulents is extremely shallow, which is the prime reason they do not thrive well in soft and wet soil. Even the soil which has the presence of moisture in it is also not good for their growth.
Roots are present very near the surface of the soil.
In full bloom, they come in various colors ranging from red, black, pink, orange, and purple. Their most unique characteristic is Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, where their stomata remain closed during the daytime and opens at night.
What is an Orchid?
Orchidaceous is not only the largest flowering plant on planet Earth but also the oldest plant family that has been blooming on the earth’s surface for 84 million years.
They are regarded as special flowers instead of foliage. Though they have a very exotic look, the vascular system inside their leaves is not that developed compared to those modern plants.
The most significant characteristic of these flowers is that their female parts are fused, called column. The male parts are also fused together, known as pollinarium, which remains protected by the anther cap.
Are Orchids Succulents?
Many of the characteristics of orchids have lots of similarities with succulents. They are considered to be very hardy plants like succulents. Though orchids are mainly found in rainforest areas amidst humidity and shade they also can survive in a harsh climate where there is very less light and also very less water.
Certain species of orchids like the epiphytic orchids are known to be succulents as they have adopted the same lifestyle as the succulents. Orchids don’t require very high maintenance to thrive and require much less pruning.
Certain dry-tolerant orchids also fall under the cactus family, the most significant being the Dendrobium Speciosum.
As they have their orchid society, certain species have gladly adapted to the succulent lifestyle of fleshy pseudobulbs, stems, and leaves that can store food and water.
What are species of orchids that can be considered succulents?
Certain species of orchids have adapted to the succulent lifestyle as they have many similarities with the characteristics of succulents. They are as follows:
Acamphe
Acampe is a special species of the orchid family that are considered to be succulents.
They are widely grown in Asian countries such as India, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and certain islands of the Indian Ocean. These flowers are small in size and inflexible in nature.
Plants that fall under the Acampe genus category are made up of thick vines that are usually slowly grown along with thick leaves.
These plants have beautiful fragrant small in size yellow colored flowers that’s surrounded by orange and red stripes.
Vanilla
Vanilla orchid is another renowned orchid plant that is considered succulent and has 110 species of flowers in the orchid family.
One of their well-known flowers, flat-leaved vanilla, is widely grown in Mexico and is famous there. Another genus of this species of orchid is grown in huge quantity across the globe and are mainly found in tropical and sub-tropical locations.
They are widely accepted and used in the industrial sector for adding flavors to food products and beverages. They are also used as fragrances in the making of cosmetics. They are known for their distinct and intoxicating aroma and flavors.
Calanthe
Calanthe is another orchid flower whose genus has nearly 220 different species.
This distinct flower of the Orchidaceous family is very famous with the name Christmas Orchid across the globe.
They are widely grown in tropical areas of South East Asia and their evergreen plants.
They are found to have thick roots, stems that are stretched with flowers, and huge leaves that are usually crumpled. It has beautiful flowers in pink, orange or white color.
Liparis
The genus of the Liparis orchid flower comes in 350 different species that belong to the Orchidaceous family.
They are also considered succulents and are famous for the name Sphinx Orchids or Widelip Orchids.
These flowers are widely grown in huge numbers in all parts except Antarctica. These plants are made of one, two, or very few leaves like the epiphytic or lithophytic herbs.
These flowers don’t have a beautiful aroma and are generally small to medium size in purple, dull green, or yellow colors.
Ansellia
Ansellia orchids have a distinct look and are known as African Ansellia or Leopard Orchids.
They have only one specie hence their genus is monotypic and are widely grown in southern parts of Africa and are mainly grown as full bloom flowers near river banks or tree canopies. They are found in huge clumps strongly attached to the branches of large trees.
Their flowers have distinct looks with yellow and greenish-yellow colors decorated with brown spots and don’t last for a long period; the maximum being only 10 days.
Oberonia
The Oberonia orchids are more famous than the name of Fairy orchids and are found in 240 different species of the Orchidaceae family. They are grown in parts of South Asia, Africa, Australia, and certain islands of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
They have very distinct leaves that look like a fan and the flowers are small, come in the shape of a cup, and don’t bloom for a long time.
Eulophia
Eulophia orchids are found in 200 different species grown in different parts of Africa and Asia and mainly distributed in open woodlands and rainforests.
They are quite renowned for the name corduroy orchids. Certain species of Eulophia are also evergreen whereas the majority are terrestrial. Most of these plants don’t come with leaves.
However the very few of them which have left are usually quite long and narrow. Their flowers come in various colors and are grown in thin flowering spike arrangements.
Bolusiella
Bolusiella orchids are the final flower of succulent nature and only 4 species belong to the Orchidaceae family.
They are grown in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa and the Comoro Islands.
These plants are not long in size and grow only a few centimeters and have sword-shaped thick and fleshy leaves with beautiful flowers that are light green in color.
What is called an orchid cactus? Do orchid cacti have thorns?
Orchid Cactus is also a succulent plant that is epiphytic and comes with flat and broad stems, lobed edges, and big attractive flowers. Since they absorb nutrients from the surrounding and the air like epiphytic plants and certain feature and growth is like of orchids, they are also known as Orchid Cacti.
Cactus is known for their thorns however orchid cactus do not have thorns or spikes like typical cactus as they are succulent in nature. They have the most beautiful white flowers that are very attractive.
Conclusion
This article covers in depth the entire knowledge about orchids as well as succulents. Orchids are the most famous flowering plant family with 30,000 species available and are also the oldest flowering plants.
This article also covers that certain orchids are succulent in nature as they have adapted to the succulent lifestyle.
The different orchids that are also succulents are discussed in detail. Orchids are widely grown in huge numbers in all parts of the world except Antarctica and have attractive flowers with a plethora of colors.
Orchids do not need huge maintenance and can survive in harsh climates as well.
