Orchids: Rooted in History

Orchids aren’t just beautiful—they’re ancient survivors, with a lineage stretching back more than 120 million years. Over time, they’ve adapted to nearly every environment, evolving extraordinary forms and captivating people across cultures. Barb Schmidt, the vice president of the American Orchid Society, leads a journey through deep time, from orchids that grew alongside dinosaurs to the dazzling varieties of today. Schmidt explores their evolution, stories of daring orchid hunters, and the cultural meanings that have made these blooms so fascinating.