Rock-Growing Types of Orchids

Lithophytes

• Although it might seem impossible, some plants can live without drawing nutrients from the soil. Lithophytic plants draw many of the nutrients they need from the atmosphere around them. They also have long, clinging roots that can reach into crevices in search of pockets of water and food.

Dendrobium

• The name "dendrobium" refers to the habit many orchids in this group have of living on trees. Some, like the pink rock orchid, live on rocks. Pink rock orchids have flower colors ranging from white to pink and dark red and foliage ranging from green to purple. The rock orchid (Dendrobium speciosum) grows on sunny cliffs and blooms in the fall with spikes of creamy flowers. The thumbnail orchid (Dendrobium linguiforme) grows in moist environments and has flower spikes with eight to 20 small, white flowers.

Phaphiodepilum

• Also called lady's slipper orchids, these flowers are characterized by the cupped tongue at the front of the flower. The shaggy paphiopedilum grows in moist, shady spots on limestone. Its flowers are light to pale green with two purple tipped petals. There is a white form of the shaggy paphiopedilum with white-tipped, lime green petals. The Chiwuan paphiopedilum is similar to the shaggy variety but grows on rocky, crystalline limestone and has smaller flowers.

Liparis

• Liparis orchids are characterized by flower spikes loaded with spindly blooms. Liparis reflexa, also called tom cats or the dog orchid, blooms with peach colored petals. Each flower has three, rounded petals surrounding a central petal. Liparis swensonii has lush green foliage that is capable of completely overtaking the rock face it lives on. Its flowers are large, around 10 mm and are similar in structure to Liparis reflexa but are white to pale green instead of peach.