Black Orchid Flower

Not Really Black

• The black orchid may, technically, be more of a dark-purple-brown than black. Because of this, some argue that there is no such thing as a black orchid. According to Orchid Mania, the black orchid doesn’t exist; however, some orchids are so dark in color that they can pass for black.

Australian Native Orchid

• The orchids are actually dark brown or maroon, including the Australian native orchid, which is a rich, dark maroon, with a touch of purple and white.

Original

• Orchid Mania says the original black orchid is an erect monopodial species that climbs and is called trichoglottis brachiata. This orchid features a markedly purple lip and is velvety in texture and dark maroon.

Appearance

• The lips of what many consider the black orchid resemble the value of a clam shell. The leaves are greenish-yellow and spotted with purple dots. Some say the black orchid approximates an octopus, based on its trailing tentacles

Go Ahead and Call it Black

• If you want to refer to your almost black orchid as such, there is no harm in that. It has been done for years.