Orchid is any of an extremely large family of plants, many of which bear beautiful flowers. There are over 20,000 species of these plants!

Orchids range in size from small plants only 1/4 inch high to vines as much as 100 feet long. The flowers come in all colors except black, and they may be speckled or streaked.

Orchids include the vinelike vanilla orchid, which grow in Mexico and throughout the tropics. Vanilla, a flavoring that is used in many foods and beverages, occurs naturally in these orchids.

Wild orchids grow in all parts of the world except Antarctica. They are most abundant in regions with plentiful rainfall. Most species grow on the trunks and branches of trees, or on rocks, in warm or tropical areas.