Orchid Fact Sheet (../files/orchidfactsheet.pdf) The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania Press Releases Search All Press Releases Patrick von Keyserling Phone: 717-232-6001 ext. 101 E-mail: pvonkeyserling@tnc.org

Nature Conservancy Joins Orchid Show at Longwood Gardens, Highlights Native PA Orchids

Longwood Gardens hosts International Orchid Show & Sale, March 30-April 1, 2007

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — March 9, 2007 — Orchid lovers are heading to Longwood Gardens to view the world’s most spectacular orchids and learn about some of Pennsylvania’s more than 50 native species thanks to exhibitors like the Nature Conservancy.

“Orchids are some of the most revered flowers on Earth, and Pennsylvania is home to many beautiful examples including some rare and endangered species,” said Bill Kunze, state
director of the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania. “While visitors

Longwood Gardens International Orchid Show & Sale is March 30-April 1. Sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society (SEPOS), the three-day, American Orchid Society-judged show will feature exhibits by regional orchid societies and renowned vendors. The show features thousands of blooms throughout Longwood’s conservatory and offers many innovative displays, interesting talks and tours of the gardens.

“The show is an opportunity to not only learn about native orchid species, but also get a tremendous insight into the efforts that the Nature Conservancy and other organizations make to protect critical habitat that supports this diversity of life,” Kunze explained. “At our preserves, we have year-round stewardship programs to remove invasive plants like multi-flora rose that compete with the orchids and other globally rare plant and animal life. We also work hard to make sure people have an opportunity to visit the preserves and see these flowers growing in their natural habitat. Our Tannersville Cranberry Bog in Monroe County is an excellent demonstration site that showcases rare orchids and wonderful biodiversity in a setting that balances human access with protection of nature so these treasures last for generations to come.”

Orchids, or Orchidaceae, are the largest of plant families and grow on six continents. Roughly 95 percent of the world’s orchids are native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The remaining 5 percent of orchid species grow in temperate latitudes. North America boasts over 200 species, and Pennsylvania has nearly 50 species growing in a variety of habitats.

“Education is very important to preserving Pennsylvania’s orchids,” said Kunze. “It’s a tremendous temptation to pick these beautiful flowers or to attempt to transplant them into private collections. However like other rare plants, orchids survive best in their natural settings where they can pollinate and obtain the nutrients they need to grow and reproduce. Understanding what these plants need to survive also requires an understanding of what contributions they make to the ecosystem. For example, Pitcher Plants are not only beautiful to admire, they also catch insects as a food source and play an import role in a boreal bog system. Those bogs in turn support otters, bobcats and migratory birds. Every time we remove one of these elements or introduce a new species to the ecosystem, we alter what can survive and potentially hasten the extinction of important species.”

The orchid show features 25 exhibits by regional orchid societies and popular vendors from South America, Hawaii, California and the East Coast. In addition to the show, Longwood is offering a number of free informative talks, lectures and special events throughout the weekend spotlighting orchids native to North America. Talks include The Ocean’s on the Left—Orchids of The West Coast; Orchids, Whales and Polar Bears—Orchids of Canada; Orchids, Snakes and ‘Gators—Orchids of the Deep South and Backyard Surprises—Orchids of Pennsylvania.

The show is free with Garden admission and is open Friday, noon-6 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
 
For more information on Longwood Gardens visit www.longwoodgardens.org.  For information on the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania or information on native orchids, click here.

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.