Found
throughout much of the world, the plants called orchids are prized for their
beautiful and unique flowers. Many
people grow orchids as a hobby, and groups are devoted to raising and studying
them. Orchids make up one of the world's largest plant families, with between
15,000 and 35,000 species, or types. The scientific name of the orchid family
is Orchidaceae.
Orchids grow
in all but the very coldest parts of the world. They are most numerous in warm,
tropical areas. Unlike most other plants, orchids can grow in a variety of
places—on trees, on the ground, on rocks, and even completely under the ground.
Orchids that grow on trees and rocks are not rooted in soil. Instead, their
spongy roots dangle in the air or cling to the tree or rock. They absorb
moisture and nutrients from rainwater and rotting plant matter.
Orchid
plants vary in height from less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) to more than 15
feet (4.6 meters). The flowers can grow singly or in clusters. They can be as
small as 1/10 inch (2.5 millimeters) or as large as 15
inches (38 centimeters) across. Orchid flowers can be almost any color, and
some are spotted or streaked. Many have a strong fragrance, but some have no
fragrance at all.
Most orchid
flowers have three petals and three leaf like structures called sepals. The
sepals are the outer layer of the flower that covers the closed flower bud.
Once the flower opens, the sepals often take on the color of the petals. The
petals may be long and thin, rounded, or fringed. The lowest petal on the face
of the flower is called the lip. It often has a different shape or color from
the rest of the flower. The lip is important in attracting insects, which carry
pollen from one flower to another. Some lips even look like insects themselves.
In the wild,
orchids grow from tiny seeds that are about the size of a particle of dust.
Orchid flowers produce millions of seeds in pods, but only a small portion of
the seeds become plants. They grow into plants only with the help of a special fungus. The fungus nourishes the orchid seed and helps it sprout. It is difficult
for orchid growers to raise plants from seeds because it takes many years for
the plants to mature. For this reason, they often grow new plants by cutting
off and replanting part of a mature plant.
1.
Orchid
plants vary in height from …
A.
Less
than 2,5 centimeters to more than 6,4 meters
B.
Less than one inch to more than 15 feet
C.
2,5 centimeters to 38 centimeters
D.
As large as 15 inches across
2.
Where do the spongy
roots absorb nutrients and moisture from?
A.
The soil.
B.
The flowers.
C.
The rotting plants
matter.
D.
The rainwater and
rotting plant matter.
3.
What is the main idea
of the second paragraph?
A.
The orchids family
B.
How orchids grow.
C.
Where orchids grow.
D.
Physical features of
orchids.
4.
Many have a strong fragrance, but some have no
fragrance at all. The underlined word means ….
A.
itching odor
B.
delicate scent
C.
unpleasant smell
D.
disgusting flavor
5.
They can be as small
as 1/10 inch (2.5 millimeters) or as large as 15 inches
…(par 3). The underlined word refers to …
A.
the orchids
B.
the flowers
C.
the spongy roots
D.
the rotting plants
matter
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