Classification of Orchids

Orchidaceae

• "Orchidaceae" is the Linnaeus classification term for the orchid family of flowers. Over 1,000 genera and 15,000 to 20,000 species belong to the Orchidaceae family. These flowers grow in tropical climates or in regions with moderate temperatures. Orchidaceae flowers grow in Asia, North America, Africa and South America. Orchidaceae represents all orchid flowers in two subfamilies, Orchidoideae and Cypripedioideae.

Asparagales

• The Linnaeus and APG classification systems list Orchidaceae plants in the Asparagales order. Other flowers in the Asparagales order are agaves, lilies, onions and daffodils. Some common characteristics of Asparagales plants are the cluster of leaves growing from the plant's base and flowers at the top of the plant's stem. A few plants -- asparagus and Solomon's seal -- have leaves on the plant's stem. Aside from Orchidaceae, the Asparagales order also represents Lanariaceae, Hypoxidaceae and Doryanthaceae families.

Monocots

• All orchids are monocotyledons, or monocots, which are plants with only one embryonic leaf in their seeds. The term "monocots" derives from the APG classification system. Monocot plants have parallel-veined leaves and adventitious roots, meaning the roots grow from anywhere on the plant other than the primary root -- also known as the radicle. Also, these plants have floral parts in multiples of threes such as three, six or 9 flower petals.

Angiosperm

• "Angiosperm" is the phylum name for all flowering plants, including orchids. This phylum is the largest group of plants in the Plantae kingdom. The seeds of all angiosperms are in the plant's flowers. Angiosperms use pollination for reproduction purposes. Other body parts in an angiosperm are stems, roots and leaves. Some angiosperms are imperfect, meaning they lack either male or female organs. Some orchids are monoecious, or plants with male and female organs in separate flowers on the same plant.

Plantae

• The Plantae kingdom is one of the largest groups of organisms in the Linnaeus classification system. Plants are able to capture sunlight through the photosynthesis process; this process provides energy for the plants. Photosynthesis also uses chlorophyll, or pigments in the leaves, which turn the plants green. The Plantae kingdom represents flowering plants, such as orchids, and gymnosperms, gingkoes, cycads, mosses, ferns and liverworts.