Among the most exotic and delicate flowers in the world, orchids hold a special fascination for flower lovers everywhere. Technically, orchids are epiphytes , or plants that cling to other organisms, such as trees, to survive. They are not parasites, but they do wind around branches and climb up tree trunks to reach the light that is hard to absorb at the bottom of a dense jungle.
Orchids abound in the Everglades' hardwood hammocks, moist marshes, prairies and pinelands.