At the Orchid Show this weekend, presented by the New York Botanical Gardens, in the Bronx, I was captivated by this plant. The colour is true to life, believe it or not. Not in the Orchid family, but rather the Fabaceae, Legume or Pea Family; the third largest of the flowering plant families, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species. Orchids constitute the largest of the flowering plant family groups with 880 genera and nearly 22,000 accepted species; many of which are displayed in this current show.
And so the Jade Vine, native to the Philippines, had it’s effect on me. It is certainly not everyday that one sees a flower with petals in such a hue. The stems are equally enchanting in a vibrant spectrum of purple, lilac, lavender and blue all melting into each other.
