Orchid Anatomy

Below are a few orchid care anatomy terms we frequently refer to when describing orchid care options!

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• Bloom – the actual flowers once they are open.
• Bud – the flower before it is opened.
• Column – the tiny, rounded, column-like extension between the two largest petals. This little guy is the central reproductive organ of the orchid flower.
• Inflorescence – the flowering part of a plant.
• Keiki – a small plant growing from a node on the flower stem.
• Leaves – located above the roots.
• Lip – the part of the flower that is almost completely divided from the rest of the flower, however, it is connected by the column. The lip is specialized to aid in pollination.
• Medium – the material added to an orchid’s container, which can range from varieties such as soil to bark.
• Node – a distinct joint or notch on the inflorescence from which a secondary flower stem can emerge from after the primary inflorescence has finished blooming.
• Roots – located just below the leaves.
• Sepal – the outer segments on an orchid flower. Similar to petals, sepals are the three smaller segments of the flower that create a triangular shape.
• Spike/Stem – a flower stalk.
• Stake – a wooden stick to support the orchid spike.
• Throat – the inner portion of a tubular orchid lip, often quite colorful.