Orchids are glorious, orchids are magnificent. Hugely popular down the ages, they have been used in magic, medicine and religion. They have long been connected with love and reproduction. They have been used (mistakenly) as aphrodisiacs, they have been used to determine the sex of a child, and even added to love potions.
They come in many shapes and sizes and can look like insects, men, women, clowns and monkeys. Shakespeare draped Ophelia with orchids in Hamlet, Darwin wrote volumes about them, and the spots on certain species' leaves were believed to be the blood of Christ.
They are usually seen in specialist flower displays and at quality garden festivals where they are displayed in all their glory, and for sale.
Orchids are not all alike, however. There are more than 50 species in Britain, with ten protected under the Wildlife And Countryside Act of 1981.
These are not perhaps, as showy as their tropical cousins but Britain's very own orchids are beautiful and just as interesting.
Cannot believe it? Then go along on Sunday to the TEESMOUTH NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE where English Nature staff are inviting the public to come and view just a few of these amazing and beautiful plants.
* Meet at the Zinc Works Road, off Tees Road (the A178), from 11am-12.30pm and off you will go on a journey of discovery. Waterproofs, sturdy footwear and cameras are highly recommended.
Movie double-acts come in all shapes and sizes ...and with varying degrees of success.
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