The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and Smithsonian Gardens showcased orchids in their new exhibit, available for viewing from Feb. 14 to Apr. 27.
The exhibit, entitled “Orchids: Masters of Deception,” features display cases, tree sculptures covered in orchids and curtains of orchids, as well as educational programs exploring the captivating nature of orchids. The exhibit hopes to highlight the unique adaptations of the thousands of different orchids they rotate on display.
Joy Columbus, the director of Smithsonian Gardens, said the Smithsonian is excited to showcase these orchids to the public with the USBG.
“Our partnership ensures the remarkable variety within the Orchidaceae family is celebrated and shared with the public by displaying thousands of beautiful orchids,” Columbus wrote to The Hoya.
The exhibit highlights adaptations orchids use to attract pollinators. One such method is orchids mimicking female pollinators’ physical appearance or chemical signals to attract male pollinators.
Danielle Duffy, a volunteer at the USBG, said orchids captivate her because of these unique adaptations.
“I was gifted orchids, and I was very scared about them, but then, once I got good at not killing them, you get bitten by this orchid obsession,” Duffy told The Hoya. “They are a really cool, adaptable plant. They’re not only beautiful, but they are a tricky, tricky species.”
Duffy said that lots of people become fascinated with orchids and bring a lot of questions when visiting the USBG.
“People are obsessed with them just because of how different they are and how rewarding they are to grow,” Duffy said. “And whenever I do the part at the Botanic Garden, I get all sorts of fun people talking about the orchids that they grow.”
Kemka Ihemelandu (CAS ’27), who recently visited the orchids exhibit, said she especially enjoyed the diversity the orchids brought to the USBG collection.
“The orchids were actually my personal favorite!” Ihemelandu wrote to The Hoya. “I loved the colors and thought it brightened the exhibit from the other ‘ordinary’ plants.”
Sophia Ancira, a public affairs assistant at the Smithsonian Institution, said the USBG and Smithsonian plan to showcase a variety of orchid species.
“There are thousands of orchids on display, and both Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden will be regularly rotating in new orchids,” Ancira wrote to The Hoya. “So, you’ll have a unique experience each time you visit between now and the end of April.”
Despite the many different orchids, more than 60% of the orchid species in North America are threatened or endangered. Orchids rely on the fungi in their habitat to grow and thrive, so as climate change causes habitats to lose certain aspects of their environment, orchids may lose these fungi.
Columbus said exhibits like these allow us to recognize the importance of conservation efforts while celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of orchids.
“By celebrating orchids’ biodiversity and clever abilities, we’re all inspired to consider how our actions impact the environments around us,” Columbus wrote. “And in addition to displaying beautiful specimens, orchid collections are vital conservation resources that protect species from various threats, including habitat change and over-collecting.”
Beyond this exhibit, the USBG and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center collaborate year-round with other partners to conserve and restore orchids through the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC). Collaborators with the NAOCC work to preserve orchid and fungi habitats, maintain collections and conduct research. They focus on educational programs to inform the public about orchid conservation efforts.
Ancira said the Smithsonian is excited for the public to learn how they can help with conservation efforts.
“The exhibit is a place for visitors to consider all the things we can learn from nature and inspire an interest in protecting this vital species,” Ancira wrote.
