• NMNH Home ›
• Exhibitions ›
• Orchids: A View From the East ›

Learn About Orchids

Explore information about the orchids featured in the show. The Encylopedia of Life is a free online encyclopedia featuring information on all of the 1.8 million living species known to science. The encylopedia is compiled from existing databases and from contributions by experts and the general public from around the world.

Cymbidium

Cymbidium ensifolium

Cymbidium goeringii

Cymbidium goeringii

Anoectochilus formosanus

Medicinal Orchids

Orchid remedies make use of dried flowers, leaves, roots and/or tubers, and are usually consumed in the form of tea, soups, or food additives. Here are a few medicinal orchids:

Dendrobium nobile

Shi-hu

Dendrobium species taken to cure "deficiencies of the yin," such as kidney disease and indigestion. This is the oldest and most widely used orchid treament.

Learn more about Dendrobium nobile at the Encyclopedia of Life

Bletilla striata

Bai-ji

Uses Bletilla striata ingested to stop bleeding.

Learn more about Bletilla striata at the Encyclopedia of Life

Gastrodia elata

© All rights reserved by Nutsya@Tas

Tian-ma

Tubers or rhizomes of Gastrodia elata used to treat conditions such as dizziness, convulsions, and hypertension.

Learn more about Gastrodia elata at the Encyclopedia of Life

Anoectochilus setaceus

Jin-xian-lian

Anoectochilus species taken to treat diseases such as pneumonia and nephritis.

Cremastra appendiculata

Shan-ci-gu

Cremastra appendiculata, an orchid know as the Chinese tulip, used to trea tonsillitis and cancer.

Learn more about Cremastra appendiculata at the Encyclopedia of Life

Upcoming Related Events

Vote for Best in Show

Join the competition!

Watch this video and learn how experts judge orchids at botanical shows around the world. Then cast your vote online for the best orchid in the exhibition.

You can vote on different orchids every few weeks, so check back often. Visitors to the museum exhibit can also text their votes from the exhibit using their mobile phones.

Related Exhibition

Visit The Orchid in Chinese Painting, now exhibiting at the Smithsonian Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Timelapse Video

View a timelapse video of the installation of the Orchids exhibition.

[ TOP ]