The first thing I learned about orchids is that you cannot look up orchid in a flower book and get an answer. Orchid is only one part of the story. Wikipedia informs us that there are over 20,000 species of orchid, and to give it some perspective, mentions that that is twice the number of bird species and 4 times the number of mammal species. So saying 'orchid' is just a little too broad.

If you said, 'What is orchid?' on Jeopardy, Alex would probably say, 'Be more specific'.

After reading that I need to look up Cyripidium, Cattleya, and Laelia, I finally found my way to Phalaenopsis or moth orchid. When we lived in Philadelphia, we had a moth orchid that would show itself for a few weeks, and then retire for some undetermined amount of time before reappearing. Eventually it stopped reappearing, and Catherine informed me that it would be sleeping for a long time. Moth orchids are very popular, although the New Western Garden Book informs me that they are for the 'advanced amateur rather than beginner'. I guess that's why ours is still sleeping. Orchids come in several other popular varieties, like the Cymbidium, Cypripedium or Lady Slipper, the Vanda, and the Dendrobium. According to the Fan Deck, all varieties of orchids symbolize love, many children, and rare beauty, so they're perfect for a bride. And with a silk orchid from Shinoda Design Center, you never have to worry about it going to sleep for a really long time. -Chris Information about orchids was gleaned from Botanica, and The New Western Garden Book. Those books can only be found if you venture into the deep closets of Shinoda Design Center. Orchid symbolism was found in the John Henry Floral Fan Deck. The Floral Fan Deck is on sale at Shinoda Design Center, and organizes flowers by color, providing interesting facts about all including. Other information was provided by the wealth of trivia that is wikipedia. Wikipedia can be found on the internet at www.wikipedia.org.