1 Overview

The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, and is perhaps second only to the composite family (Asteraceae), gracing our planet with their exotic presence in almost every corner of the globe^[1]. The orchid family includes around 750 genera and 28,000 species found all over the world except for Antarctica, with 1,710 known species in 181 genera found in China^[2].

However, quantifying this floral abundance is no easy feat. The orchids' dazzlingly diverse blooms and their occupancy of a multitude of ecological habitats pose a challenge to botanists seeking precise numbers^[3]. The numbers you see here are like stepping stones across a hidden garden-that is,approximations that may shift and grow as new species discoveries bloom every year. Imagine a vibrant botanical kaleidoscope, where delicate butterfly orchids flutter amidst flamboyant Cattleyas, and the curious slipper orchid dangles its pouched bloom like a whimsical treasure. This enchanting panorama aptly describes the Orchid family, where each genus seems to outdo the other in floral ingenuity and visual splendor.

Type of orchids

Within the vast and diverse orchid family, Chinese Cymbidium orchids are widely known for their significant cultural and economic value, as well as their lengthy history of cultivation.Chinese Cymbidium orchids are a collective term for several terrestrial orchid species native to China, which belong to the genus Cymbidium within the family Orchidaceae according to plant taxonomy^[4]. These species botanically include Cymbidium goeringii, C. faberi, C. ensifolium, C. sinense, C. kanran, and three varieties of Cymbidium goeringii, namely, C. goeringii var. longibracteatum, C. goeringii var. tortisepalum, and C. goeringii var. serratum.

Cymbidium goeringii 'Song Mei'

In China, Chinese Cymbidium orchids are commonly referred to as "Lan" or "Guo Lan". The historical records of "Lan" can be traced back over two thousand years to the Spring and Autumn period, a time when Confucius lived (551-479 BC)^[5]. 'Lan', discovered amidst the depths of mountains and forests, possesses the remarkable ability to thrive in a harsh environment, all the while emanating an aura of elegance and beauty. Its graceful branches and leaves, accompanied by the subtle fragrance of its flowers, earned Lan high praise from Confucius as the "King of Fragrance"^[6].

Owing to Confucius' profound affection for 'Lan' and his unparalleled influence, numerous poems related to Chinese Cymbidium orchids have emerged throughout history. Additionally, the significance of Chinese Cymbidium orchids is underscored by their beautiful appearance, diverse applications, and medicinal properties^[7]. In China, Chinese Cymbidium orchids symbolize nobility, grace, and refinement. The love and admiration for 'Lan', known as "Lan Culture", has become an integral part of Chinese culture^[8].

Chinese Cymbidium orchid in Chinese poetry(Made in early 8th century)

Chinese Cymbidium orchid in Chinese Painting(Painted in early 13th century)

Portrait of Prince Yinli Guo, with Cymbidium in planter (right, front) China, Qing dynasty, 1731

A calligraphy gift received by the author during orchid data collection

In this historical context, Chinese Cymbidium orchids have been artificially cultivated in China, Korea, and Japan for centuries due to their exceptional ornamental and cultural values, resulting in the development of numerous cultivars. These cultivars represent a subset of species possessing desirable traits^[9]. Simultaneously, the planted extensively of Chinese Cymbidium orchids has spurred a thriving commerce and speculative pricing of Chinese Cymbidium orchids. The prices of distinct cultivars exhibit considerable variance, with commonly found cultivars typically priced below US $1,000, while rare cultivars or those arising from natural mutations can command prices in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in the market^[10]. During the market peak, someone participant traded two orchids for a brand-new BMW from a car dealer in Yunnan.

Auction prices for high-end Chinese Cymbidium orchids on the Chinese Orchid Trading Network(2024)

With the increasing popularity and excessive commercialization of Chinese Cymbidium orchids, various problems have also followed, posing significant challenges to their survival, protection, scientific research, trade, and other related undertakings. Urbanization and changing market dynamics have fueled price speculation and rapid over-collection of many Chinese Cymbidium orchids resulting in population collapse and local extinctions of many cultivars^[11]. In the latest version of List of National Key Protected Wild Plants in China, all native members of Chinese Cymbidium orchids are classified as endangered due to over-collection and the trade of wild-sourced plants^[12].The immense commercial worth of Chinese Cymbidium orchids has also sparked a rise in counterfeiting and forgery of rare cultivars, leading to frequent losses for orchid enthusiasts.

News about illegal digging of wild orchids(2022)

News about the use of glue to join precious orchid varieties(2023)

Currently, extensive research is being conducted on Chinese Cymbidium orchids^[6:1], encompassing various areas such as morphology, physiological ecology, horticultural cultivation, genetic breeding, and molecular identification. However, there is a lack of research focusing on intelligent cultivation, management, and protection of Chinese Cymbidium orchids. The objective of such research would be to integrate artificial intelligence with traditional horticultural practices to establish optimal growth conditions for these orchids through efficient and precise analysis, ultimately enhancing management and decision-making processes. These advancements are poised to revolutionize orchid cultivation, and promote more sustainable and efficient orchid production, which will significantly benefit producers and consumers alike.

Our goal is to fill this gap by conducting in-depth research in this area. To achieve this goal, we are actively researching large-scale image classification of Chinese Cymbidium cultivars, with a particular emphasis on dataset construction and establishing classification models. As part of our efforts, we have successfully created the Orchid 2024 dataset and made it available, along with relevant source code. Our comprehensive orchid image dataset and classification system can serve as a valuable tool for the management of orchid germplasm resources, providing researchers in the fields of horticulture and botany with a valuable resource for the study of orchid morphology, physiology, and ecology, and facilitating the identification, cultivation, preservation, and marketing of orchids. Additionally, we have conducted extensive research on the identification of diseases and pests affecting orchids.

Looking ahead, with the help of artificial intelligence, I aspire to make strides in our understanding of orchids and their cultivation techniques. I hope that our efforts will generate valuable insights into bridging the gap between scientific research and practical applications, and make meaningful contributions to this important research field.

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1. Chase, Mark W., et al. "An updated classification of Orchidaceae." Botanical journal of the Linnean Society 177.2 (2015): 151-174. ↩︎

2. Zhou, Zhihua, et al. "Orchid conservation in China from 2000 to 2020: Achievements and perspectives." Plant Diversity 43.5 (2021): 343-349. ↩︎

3. Cozzolino, Salvatore, and Alex Widmer. "Orchid diversity: an evolutionary consequence of deception?." Trends in Ecology & Evolution 20.9 (2005): 487-494. ↩︎

4. Ning, Huijuan, et al. "Correlation analysis between the karyotypes and phenotypic traits of Chinese cymbidium cultivars." Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology 59 (2018): 93-103. ↩︎

5. Hossain, Mohammad Musharof. "Therapeutic orchids: traditional uses and recent advances—an overview." Fitoterapia 82.2 (2011): 102-140. ↩︎

6. Hew, Choy Sin, and Yik Suan Wong. Chinese Cymbidium Orchid: A Gentleman of Noble Virtue. World Scientific, 2023. ↩︎ ↩︎

7. Gutiérrez, Rosa Martha Pérez. "Orchids: A review of uses in traditional medicine, its phytochemistry and pharmacology." J. Med. Plants Res 4.8 (2010): 592-638. ↩︎

8. Hew, Choy Sin. "Ancient Chinese orchid cultivation: a fresh look at an age-old practice." Scientia Horticulturae 87.1-2 (2001): 1-10. ↩︎

9. Su, Shihao, et al. "An AGAMOUS-like factor is associated with the origin of two domesticated varieties in Cymbidium sinense (Orchidaceae)." Horticulture research 5 (2018). ↩︎

10. Seyler, Barnabas C., et al. "Understanding knowledge threatened by declining wild orchid populations in an urbanizing China (Sichuan)." Environmental Conservation 46.4 (2019): 318-325. ↩︎

11. Seyler, Barnabas C., et al. "Collapse of orchid populations altered traditional knowledge and cultural valuation in Sichuan, China." Anthropocene 29 (2020): 100236. ↩︎

12. List of National Key Protected Wild Plants in China. 8 Sept. 2021, www.forestry.gov.cn/c/www/gkml/11057.jhtml. Accessed 1 Jan. 2024. ↩︎