Darwin's orchid

Star of Bethlehem orchid

Angraecum sesquipedale

The star of Bethlehem orchid gained fame thanks to Charles Darwin, who reasoned from the long floral spur that there must be a then-unknown moth in Madagascar with a very long proboscis capable of reaching the nectar and pollinating the plant—and he was proven right.

The Star of Bethlehem orchid owes its name to its snow-white, star-shaped flowers.

The star of Bethlehem orchid is a type of orchid. Orchids are found on every continent. The European species are all terrestrial. The species found in the tropics have largely adapted to living in the tree canopy. As so-called epiphytes, they benefit from sunlight in this way. They cling to the tree bark and branches with their roots. Hanging aerial roots ensure rapid water absorption.

Many orchids emit fragrant scents to attract insects. In many cases, the flower’s reproductive parts (stigma and anthers) and the access route (pistil) are so intricately structured that sometimes only a single insect species is capable of transferring pollen. The star of Bethlehem orchid is pollinated by moths. However, many orchid flowers offer no food at all to the insects. The insects are led astray by the scent!

Orchid seeds are tiny and can be carried by the wind for hundreds of kilometers.

Orchids depend on fungi that live in the bark of their roots for nourishment. This symbiotic relationship begins as early as the seed germination stage. Unfortunately, some orchid species are threatened with extinction. “Plant lovers” search the globe for extremely rare orchids, which they collect and take home. Orchids are considered valuable ornamental plants. Through the crossbreeding of a wide variety of species, over 5,000 cultivated varieties have been developed worldwide.

Distribution

All continents; the genus Angraecum is found in Africa and Madagascar

Number of related species

Total number of orchids: 20,000, of which over 1,000 are found in Madagascar. Genus Angraecum: 200 worldwide, of which about 145 are found in Madagascar. Many species have only scientific names.

Use

Ornamental plant, vanilla, medicine (China), tea (Southeast Asia)

Habitat at the zoo:

Masoala Rainforest

Distribution

All continents; the genus Angraecum is found in Africa and Madagascar

Number of related species

Total number of orchids: 20,000, of which over 1,000 are found in Madagascar. Genus Angraecum: 200 worldwide, of which about 145 are found in Madagascar. Many species have only scientific names.

Use

Ornamental plant, vanilla, medicine (China), tea (Southeast Asia)

Habitat at the zoo:

Masoala Rainforest

Godparent

Support the plants of Zoo Zurich with your annual godparent sponsorship

Star of Bethlehem orchid for CHF 300.–

Become a godparent

Godparent

Support the plants of Zoo Zurich with your annual godparent sponsorship

Star of Bethlehem orchid for CHF 300.–

Become a godparent

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