The exotic look of black orchids make it a very popular flower. This orchid is among many other species in its class that can very greatly in its appearance. Which adds to the uniqueness of this plant.

The name bulbophyllum originates from both the Latin and the Greek. The latin “bulbus” means bulb-like and the greek, “phyllon” meaning leaf are descriptive of its form. This exotic plant is the largest genus in the Orchidaceae or Orchid family, as well as being one of the the largest in the entire plant kingdom. Numbering at about 1805 species, the study of the black orchid is no small feat.

There are many different species of the bulbphyllum, and they can greatly vary in their form, look, smell, environment, and growth pattern. Identifying this plant can be diffucult, and most of the time is done by looking at the specifics and the structure of the flowers of the plant.

This genus can range from anything between a winding root climber, and an erect plant. This is why it is so important to know the specifics about identifying a true bulbophyllum. This is why it can be extremely difficult, even for the most experienced taxonomist. But since it is such a challenge, it also makes it that much more interesting.

One more thing that varies with the black orchid is the environment in which it grows. Some different countries that they flourish in range from Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, South America, and Papua New Guinea. Almost one third of the species orignated from Papua New Guinea. This makes the forests in Papua New Guinea diverse with these sophisticated plkants. Some of these habitats and forests are losing their natural form, which is inhibiting their growth.

There are several species that are under the threat of becoming extinct. Four are on the endangered list and unfortunately, two are critically endangered. The bulbophyllum filiforme is native to Nigeria and Cameroon where it grows in tropical or sub-tropical dry forests and is now on the critically threatened list because of the loss of its natural habitat. Another on that same list is the bulbophyllum Kupense, also native to Cameroon but this species grows in a sub-tropical moist montane.

The black orchid is intricate in its design, not to mention both beautiful and exotic. It makes it much more interesting to study as the common person may not be able to lable a black orchid as such.

It is important that we preserve the environments that they grow in so that we can continue to study this complex and obscure plant.