Jumelleas Fragrant Orchids with a Twist

摘要

ASIDEFROMTHEIROBVIOUSWORLD-wide appeal as ornamental plants, few orchids are known for any other commercial or agricultural purpose. Vanilla, of course, is an exception. The tuberous roots of various Orchis species used to make salep, a reputedly aphrodisiacal ice cream popular in Turkey, are another less pedestrian utility. Certain dendrobiums have alkaloids, notably nobiline, that are considered tonics, and Dendrobium chrysotoxum flowers are used in Southeast Asia to make a soothing tea that reputedly induces peaceful dreamless sleep. I suspect that if one did a thorough survey of folk medicine and ethno-botani-cal uses for orchids, one would discover myriad applications.