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Orchidaceae (Orchid family) is the largest family of the flowering plants (Angiospermae). Its
name is derived from the genus Orchis. The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list 880 genera and
nearly 22,000 accepted species, but the exact number is unknown (perhaps as many as 25,000)
because of taxonomic disputes. The number of orchid species equals about four times the number
of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird species. It also encompasses about 6 –
11% of all seed plants. About 800 new orchid species are added each year. The largest genera
are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and
Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes the Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla
plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or
Cattleya. (Source: Wikipedia Enc., )
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