Orchids are the most fascinating plants in the entire plant kingdom. Even after more than a century of detailed study, many characteristics and behaviours of orchid plants are not documented or studied in detail.
Orchid blooms appear with duplicate floral parts – 2 lips, 2 spurs, 4 petals, 6 sepals, 2 columns etc. In some cases duplication of all flower parts happens in the same flower, but more frequently only one or two parts get duplicated. Interestingly, not all the flowers on an inflorescence show this variation, maybe a single flower to a few flowers show this freak appearance. This is due to mutations during the flower development.
Mutations in flowers are caused due to a limited gene-pool or some environmental factors. However, this phenomenon is so rare that the chances of finding an orchid plant with monstrous or freak flowers are 1 in 10,000 plants.
Post 23 – 27/October/202