Kew plays host to grandchild of all orchids
This orchid, encyclia cochleata, is believed to be a relative of the first tropical tree-growing orchid to flower at Kew Gardens in 1783. Now it is to feature in a new show at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew.
The exhibition, Beauty In Danger: Orchids At The Edge, focuses on rare and endangered orchids in the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew.
Up to 300 varieties of orchid are discovered each year but many do not survive - except in places like Kew - because they are collected to extinction.
Kew's Phil Cribb said: "Orchids go in and out of fashion. There are varieties of slipper orchids - especially those of which there are only very few individual plants which are used for cultivating - which can fetch up to £3,000 each."
The festival begins on Saturday and ends on 10 March. Kew Gardens is open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Evening openings, which cost £10 and include a glass of wine, will be on Wednesday 13 and 27 February from 6.30pm to 9pm and must be booked on 020 8332 5622.
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