Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the Orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots. It is currently believed to be the second largest family of flowering plants (only the Asteraceae is larger), with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species, found in 880 genera. The number of orchid species equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about four times the number of mammal species. It also encompasses about 6–11% of all seed plants. The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species).
The family also includes Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or Cattleya. Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century, horticulturists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.
5 stamps depicting different Orchids issued for the Singapore International Stamp Exhibition in 1995. Featured are the Bee Orchid, the Brown Bee Orchid, the Pyramidal Orchid, the Mirror Orchid and the Sawfly Orchid on September 01, 1995.The Singapore Exhibtion was a world expo and a major event in the philatelic calendar.
Japan – Singapore has collaborated issue the greetings international stamps that depicted orchid flowers in one stamp sheet that have background picture the Lion head of Singapore symbolic and combined with orchid flower.
New Zealand World Stamp Exhibition has conducted at Auckland on 24th August to 2nd September 1990. New Zealand Post issued the souvenir sheet consist of 5 stamps depicted orchid flower , Sun orchid, Spider orchid, Winika orchid, Greenhood orchid, Odd-leaved orchid
Thailand as host country of the World Youth Stamp Exhibition and the 13th Asian International Stamp Exhibition at Bangkok 2000, issued the souvenir sheet depicted orchid flower Dendrobium draconis, Paphiopedilum Hirsitissimum, Dendrobium Sulcatum, Rhynchostylis gigantea. The souvenir sheet issued also in imperforated stamps.
