8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

1/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Bulbophyllumaeollium, a rare orchidof tropical montaneforests. Its impressiveand colorful flowersare high-up in thetrees.

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

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entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

2/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Phaphilopediliumbarbatum, a muchwanted orchid bypoachers. Thisterrestrial speciesused to occur in largegroups in forests in theCameron Highlands,but is now almostextinct.

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

3/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Phaphilopedilium lowii,a rare orchid of thelowland and hillforests. Each flowerstem has several largeflowers

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

4/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Bulbophyllumvirescens, has thelargest flowers of allspecies of this family.

Truly impressive. Itoccurs in the Sg. Wivalley.

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

5/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Dendrobiumroseatum, a beautifulorchid with whiteflowers, with a littlepink, hence the latinname.

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

6/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Aphyllorchis montana ,is a very raresaprophytic ground-dwelling orchid that isfound in themountains. The wholeflower steam is over ameter in length!

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

7/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Arundina graminifolia,a common orchid thatcan be foundabundantly in road-cuts. This Bamboo-Orchid has large,bright colored flowersas you pass by in yourcar.

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands

8/14/2019 Beauty of Orchids

8/8

Fragile ecosystem health indicatorsof the Cameron HighlandsBy REACH

Orchidaceae is the name

given to the largest family of

flowering plants known to

man. The orchid family is so

diverse and large that the exact

number of species in its family

is not really known. Manystudies estimate that this

family has between 25,000 to

30,000 species from 880

genera. This is not taking into

account the more than 60,000

hybrids. Orchids are found in

almost every region of the

earth and in Peninsular

Malaysia alone there are

approximately 850 different

species, of which 300 speciesare said to be found in the

highlands. Regional En-

vironmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH)

started a wild orchid survey

and documentation in April

2002. Since then a collection

of over a thousand photo-

graphs of wi ld orch ids

covering more than 600species and 59 genera has

been made. This includes one

newly recorded genus, 22

species and 35 forms being

newly discovered. This is an

impressive record and it has

been a difficult task as this

family group is so diverse that

classification and identification

of all the species recorded has

been a great challenge.Orchids are good indicators

for the health of a tropical

forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental

degradation. They are the first

ones to suffer when forests are

partially logged. Orchids are

thus colourful ambassadors of

the intact forest ecosystem.

Several nurseries openlyadvertise wild orchids for sale.

REACH would l ike to

strongly discourage locals and

tourist alike from buying wild

orchids. Wild orchids are not

hardy species and many of

specimens taken from the wild

do not survive away from the

natural habitat. The public

should boycott nurseries that

have r ipped out thesetreasures from our highlands

to be shipped of to foreign

lands.

Coelogyne kaliana,growing on bark in themossy forest. Theflowers are highlyfragrant, and thewhole forest smellssweet when it isflowering.

THEBEAUTYOFORCHIDS

RegionalEnvironm

entalAwarenessCameronH

ighlands