By: Nat. Eduardo Villegas
Orchids are the largest family of plants, with more than 28,000 species identified so far by scientists. Although the variation in size, color and texture is enormous, its flowers have a basic structure: three sepals and three petals, but one of them is different from the other two and is called lip.
Our protagonist in this edition of the orchid of the month is Oncidium leleui, a plant native to Mexico, whose small flowers, predominantly yellow, look like little dancers.
Its amazing flower spikes can measure more than two meters and a single plant can produce more than 270 flowers! Which makes it a truly striking plant during its flowering season, which happens with the arrival of spring.
Its life cycle is complex; during germination it generally requires an associated fungus (mycorrhiza) and specific pollinators. This is why orchids offer a great opportunity to study the interactions between plants, fungi and animals, as well as their sensitivity to environmental changes, a topic of growing interest today.
Take the opportunity to see them in their maximum splendor in our Botanical Garden throughout April.
