The Finer Features of Orchid Flowers
One of the great advantages of holding our monthly meetings at the National Botanic Garden of Wales is that, whenever required, we have access to a wide range of resources. On March 11th 20017, our visiting speaker was Dr Helen Millner, who conducted a practical session involving dissection of Phalaenopsis flowers at the Garden’s Canolfan Tyfu (Growth Centre). Here are some of our members engrossed in their microscope studies. Wherever possible, we at the OSG favour a hands- on, practical approach to learning. There then followed a talk and Powerpoint presentation on the gross floral morphology of a range of orchid species, and how they are adapted to insect pollination. This both enhanced the learning and reinforced our members’ experience during the practical session.
