How to Identify Orchids by Their Foliage

Observe leaf color and growth position. The corsage orchids have tall growths called pseudobulbs with elongated medium-green leaves that grow upward, one after the other. The deep green leaves on the lady slipper orchids spread out to form a fan-like shape, without any pseudobulbs at the base of the rhizome. The light green leaves on moth orchids fan out on either side of a center rhizome.

Feel the ends of the leaves at the roots, along with the soil. The dryness or moistness there should help identify the orchids, as different species have different water and growing medium requirements. Lady slippers are terrestrial orchids that thrive on the type of floor medium found in their natural jungle environment that needs to be moist but not overly wet.

Examine the leaves for signs of burned leaves. The sunlight requirements for orchids vary per species. While many orchids, such as the corsage orchids flourish in full sun, the moth orchids require indirect sunlight. When the leaves receive too much sunlight, they tend to burn and turn a brownish yellow in spots.

Go to your local library or online and check out an illustrated book about orchids. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is never truer than when trying to identify exotic orchid plants that have similar physical characteristics.