Orchids: Rooted in History

About this event

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. Emperors, explorers, artists, and collectors have all been drawn to them. 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. She also discusses the ancient Vanilla genus, which produces vanilla extract; the Cymbidium genus, which has been cultivated for millennia in China; and the Cattleya genus, which was part of "orchidilerium" in the late 1800s in England. Along the way, Schmidt shares expert insight, vivid imagery, and practical knowledge that bring the world of orchids to life. General Information View Common FAQs and Policies about our Onlin