Orchidaceae

Orchid" redirects here. For other uses, see Orchid (disambiguation).

Orchidaceae Fossil range: 80 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓ Late Cretaceous - Recent
Color plate from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution range of family Orchidaceae
Subfamilies
Apostasioideae Cypripedioideae Epidendroideae Orchidoideae Vanilloideae

Orchidaceae, the Orchid family, is the largest family of the flowering plants (Angiospermae).^[1][2] Its name is derived from the genus Orchis.

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list 880 genera and nearly 22,000 accepted species, but the exact number is unknown (perhaps as many as 25,000)^[3] because of taxonomic disputes. The number of orchid species equals about four times the number of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird species. It also encompasses about 6–11% of all seed plants.^[4] About 800 new orchid species are added each year. The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes the Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or Cattleya.

Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century, horticulturists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.

The complex mechanisms which orchids evolve to achieve cross-pollination were investigated by Charles Darwin and described in his 1862 book On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are fertilised by insects, and on the good effects of intercrossing.

Hans Christian Ørsted

ans Christian Ørsted (14 August 1777 – 9 March 1851) was a Danish physicist and chemist who is best known for discovering that electric currents can create magnetic fields, which is an important part of Electromagnetism. He shaped post-Kantian philosophy and advances in science throughout the late nineteenth century.^[1] He was also the first modern thinker to explicitly describe and name the thought experiment.

Hans Christian Ørsted
Danish physicist & chemist
Born	14 August 1777(1777-08-14) Rudkøbing, Denmark
Died	9 March 1851 (aged 73) Copenhagen, Denmark
Nationality	Danish
Fields	physics chemistry
Known for	electromagnetism

Wellawahum (Sri Lankan Pancakes with coconut) recipe

Although called Pancakes in Sri Lanka, these are Crepes filled with a coconut mixture. Usually served with afternoon tea.

For the pancakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Pinch of turmeric (optional)
Pinch salt
1 cup milk, or as needed

Combine flour, eggs and salt in a food processor or blender. Add enough milk to make a fluid batter. Cover and refrigerated the batter for about 30 mins.
Now make the filling.

For the filling:
1 1/2 cups freshly grated coconut.
1/2 cup of Kitul Treacle (Or substitute 2/3 cup of brown sugar, dissolved in 1/4 cup water)
3 cloves crushed.
Pinch salt.
Pinch pepper.

Bring the treacle to boil under medium heat. Add the rest of the filling ingredients. Cook for about 5 minutes stirring constantly. Set aside.
Now make the pancakes.

Heat an 8-inch crepe pan or skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute. Coat the surface of the pan with piece of cloth soaked in vegetable oil. After it gets sizzling hot, ladle some batter onto the middle of the crepe pan and immediately start swirling the pan to distribute the batter over the surface. Cook for 45 to 60 seconds or until lightly golden brown. Flip over and cook the other side for 20 seconds. Remove to a plate.

Spread about 2 tbsp of the filling over a diameter of the pancake evenly and roll. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve warm.