What is an Orchid?
Orchids are monocots which evolved 40 - 80 million years ago from a lily-like relative. As a group, the orchid family is a young, rapidly evolving family. Many species have complex pollination mechanisms, such as pollinator-specific structures; these include parts for insect mimicry, pollinator traps, and/or nectar rewards. These mechanisms suggest co-dependent relationships between plant and pollinator.