Beauty Of Orchids

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Bulbophyllum aeollium, a rare orchid of tropical montane forests. Its impressive and colorful flowers are high-up in the trees.

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Phaphilopedilium barbatum, a much wanted orchid by poachers. This terrestrial species used to occur in large groups in forests in the Cameron Highlands, but is now almost extinct.

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Phaphilopedilium lowii, a rare orchid of the lowland and hill forests. Each flower stem has several large flowers

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Bulbophyllum virescens, has the largest flowers of all species of this family. Truly impressive. It occurs in the Sg. Wi valley.

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Dendrobium roseatum, a beautiful orchid with white flowers, with a little pink, hence the latin name.

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Aphyllorchis montana, is a very rare saprophytic grounddwelling orchid that is found in the mountains. The whole flower steam is over a meter in length!

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Arundina graminifolia, a common orchid that can be found abundantly in roadcuts. This ‘BambooOrchid’ has large, bright colored flowers as you pass by in your car.

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.

BEAUTYOFORCHIDS

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands

THE

Coelogyne kaliana, growing on bark in the mossy forest. The flowers are highly fragrant, and the whole forest smells sweet when it is flowering.

Fragile ecosystem health indicators of the Cameron Highlands By REACH

Orchidaceae is the name given to the largest family of flowering plants known to man. The orchid family is so diverse and large that the exact number of species in its family is not really known. Many studies estimate that this family has between 25,000 to 30,000 species from 880 genera. This is not taking into account the more than 60,000 hybrids. Orchids are found in almost every region of the earth and in Peninsular Malaysia alone there are approximately 850 different species, of which 300 species are said to be found in the highlands. Regional Environmental Awareness Cam-

eron Highlands (REACH) started a wild orchid survey and documentation in April 2002. Since then a collection of over a thousand photographs of wild orchids covering more than 600 species and 59 genera has been made. This includes one newly recorded genus, 22 species and 35 forms being newly discovered. This is an impressive record and it has been a difficult task as this family group is so diverse that classification and identification of all the species recorded has been a great challenge. Orchids are good indicators for the health of a tropical forest, as they are very

sensitive to environmental degradation. They are the first ones to suffer when forests are partially logged. Orchids are thus colourful ambassadors of the intact forest ecosystem. Several nurseries openly advertise wild orchids for sale. REACH would like to strongly discourage locals and tourist alike from buying wild orchids. Wild orchids are not hardy species and many of specimens taken from the wild do not survive away from the natural habitat. The public should boycott nurseries that have ripped out these treasures from our highlands to be shipped of to foreign lands.