| One of the rarest of all the orchids in the world is | | | | the black one. The Black Orchid is not a man |
| the Black Orchid. Due to its' status as the national | | | | made flower. |
| flower of the Central American country of Belize, | | | | Just as other orchids, these Black Beauties, are |
| it is illegal to take a this rare Orchid out of the | | | | born on stalks called pedicels. During one of the |
| country. There is a hefty penalty if caught trying | | | | orchids many growth stages the pedicel rotates |
| to smuggle a Black Orchid out of Belize. | | | | 180 degrees. The Black Orchid will grow three |
| Orchids grow in wet tropical regions and are a | | | | sepals which make up the outer floral whorls and |
| common site in south Florida where they grow | | | | three petals which make up the inner floral whorls. |
| wild. However the Black Orchid is native only to | | | | However, there is one other very distinct petal |
| the Central Americas jungles. Orchids will grow in | | | | that is different from all the sepals and pedals, it |
| indirect sunlight such as deep in the jungle in areas | | | | is called the labellum, or "lip" and is most often |
| with sun rays beaming down. Orchids also like | | | | cupped in an upwards direction. |
| direct sunlight when you hang them in baskets. | | | | In my opinion, the Black Orchid is just as beautiful, |
| The black color of this orchid is the determining | | | | if not more beautiful then a red, orange or even a |
| factor that makes this stunning orchid so rare. | | | | white orchid. Though pictures do speak louder |
| Very few flowers in the world have black pedals. | | | | than words you can never know the true beauty |
| No other variety of orchids is as endangered as | | | | of a Black Orchid until you see one for your self. |