Name: From the Greek "orchis", because of the shape of the bulbous roots.

Origin: Indigenous to tropical and semi-tropical regions of the world such as Asia, South and Central America.

Color: White, pink, purple and yellow.

Availability: All year round.

Care Tips:They can last several weeks. They like cool air and regular misting, and are sensitive to ethylene gas so keep them away from fruit, vegetables and dying flowers. Snip off old flower heads. They cope with central heating better than other orchids.

Facts: The Javan natives eat the leaves of P. amabilis as vegetables - but we do not recommend snacking on your houseplants.