Orchids burst into diverse blossom in Yunnan

Orchidaceae is the "flagship" group among plants under protection. More than two-thirds of orchids in China are in a rare and endangered state. There are about 400 wild orchids in Xishuangbanna, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Great efforts have been invested in seed collection and artificial cultivation of endangered orchid species by scientists at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden. As the country enters late spring, some 100 species of orchids have started blooming in the botanic garden showing the diverse beauty of flowers in the orchid family.

Leptotes bicolor. /Photo by Zhu Renbin

Vandopsis gigantea. /Photo by Zhu Renbin

Goodyera procera. /Photo by Zhu Renbin

Cluster of dendrobium chrysotoxum covered in mist. /Photo by Mo Haibo

Phaius tancarvilleae. /Photo by Zhu Renbin

Paphiopedilum concolor. /Photo by Zhu Renbin

Goodyera procera. /Photo by Zhu Renbin

Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum. /Photo by Zhu Renbin