Information on Black Orchid Flowers

Origin

• Black orchids are native to Asia, and Central and South America. The black orchid was a sign of virility for early Greeks. The men would eat orchid roots in order to have a son, and the women ate them to have a daughter.

Growing

• Warm temperatures and partial sun, combined with restricted water and a bed of peat moss with good circulation, provides ideal conditions for the black orchid to thrive. Grow them from seeds, tissue culture, dividing a mature flower or from cuttings. They bloom in July through September and grow to about 12 inches tall. Most black orchid varieties grow in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 12, though you should check with your local nursery to ensure the variety you plant can endure the winter temperatures in your area if you don't plan to grow it indoors.

Characteristics

• The flower's long, slender stem topped with an arch of blossoms forms the black orchid's recognizable silhouette. You can support the top-heavy stems with a wood stake. Its bright green leaves, shaped like wide spears, grow at the base of the stem. The flower consists of five round, flat petals with a stamen at the center. Colors of the black orchid range from dark blue to deep purple with a velvety texture. The Lipsaris nervosa, referred to as the "kokuran," is one of the darkest black orchids.

Literary Use

• In books, movies and legends, the black orchid takes on a number of symbolic meanings. Throughout the world, the color black is associated with death. In horror stories, the black orchid is portrayed with negative connotations and sometimes as pure evil. Modern uses, such as The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean, symbolize power, authority and mystery. Since the early 19th century, black orchids have also represented affluence.