The insanity of specificity – Issue #96

Hello Explorer,
A while ago we went for a walk and came across something very rare. We came across micro-orchids. These micro-orchids are barely the size of the first joint of my index finger, with flowers that are less than 3mm in size. The species we saw was positively identified to be Angraecum chamaeanthus.

These are minute twig epiphytic orchids orchids, which means they grow on thinner branches and the twigs of other trees. Thus, the conditions in which they grow in are very specific and if the conditions are just slightly different, they will not survive. Being found in mist belt forests they receive most of their water from the daily mist and the frequent rains. The fact that they grow in the trees means that they cannot handle being wet for two long, as it will drown them. Even the trees that they are found on require a specific type of bark and the correct amount of moss and lichens growing on it for these orchids to grow on them. All these factors are quite easy to replicate in a lab or greenhouse, but that is where the problem comes in. These orchids are nearly impossible to grow in captivity.
As we stood admiring these wonderful orchids on the tree, I noticed something very interesting that blew my mind. These orchids only grow at a height of approximately 160cm to 200cm above the ground (I didn’t have a tape measure with me for accurate measurements, but I will return and take proper measurements). Coupling this observation with some environmental information I already know, I realized that these orchids are growing only at that specific height, because in that height range the temperature, air flow (wind), moisture/humidity, sunlight and moss & lichen coverage are perfect for them to grow. If you go up or down 10cm out of the height range these factors all go too far out of bounds and the orchids can physically not survive anymore.
This means that just replicating the conditions of a mist belt forest is not adequate to let these orchids survive in captivity, you will need to perfectly replicate the conditions of a specific height off the ground, taking into consideration what the seasonal variations are and how all of this influences the growth of these delicate orchids.

All that this shows me is that creation is so much more complex than what we think, and we are often ignorant of the facts and the subtle variations that can be so easily overlooked. Because in human terms a height difference of 10cm, at a height of 160cm above the ground sounds negligible, but for a micro-orchid, it is the difference between life and death!
Did you know that there are micro-orchids? Did you know that there are such sensitive species? What is the rarest species you have ever seen in its natural habitat?

If you would like to send me a message with your answers, feel free to do so on Instagram or Twitter @abugmanslife or via email to [email protected].