Oberonia- Orchid

- Common Name: Fairy Orchids
- Classification:

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Malaxideae
Subtribe: Malaxidinae
Genus: Oberonia

Habit: -Typically, these orchids thrive in well-lit environments with unrestricted airflow.
Plants grow predominantly on the trunks and branches of rainforest trees, with the odd
branching out into drier areas. However, they can also be found on rocks, boulders, and
cliff faces exposed to the full heat of the sun.
- General Characters:
Epiphytes or lithophytes with tufts of strange growths that resemble fans or irises and are
supported by thin roots, as well as undetectable or creeping rhizomes.

-The name Oberonia comes from Oberon, King of the Fairies, a romantic reference made by
botanist John Lindley to the small orchid blooms and how they are arranged on the inflorescence.

-Although the native Oberonia species have little flowers, they do not reproduce by themselves.

-During the summer and fall, Oberonia plants grow rapidly, and the rest of the year, they remain
mostly dormant.

-The bulk of the species have tiny flowers that are best viewed with a strong magnifying glass.