Tiger Me Orchid - original painting

Orchid fever has been one of humanity’s most enduring botanical obsessions. The name orchid derives from the Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), meaning testicle. Their delicate, almost imperceptible scent, sensual forms, and rarity have long aroused the desire of collectors and plant lovers — even in Victorian England. This fascination led to an era of obsessive hybridisation within this extraordinary family of flowers.

Today, there are more than 28,000 known orchid species worldwide - nearly one in every ten flowering plants. Each year, new hybrids appear, boasting ever more abundant blossoms, striking forms, and captivating colours. More than a century later, orchids continue to seduce and fascinate - yet behind their beauty lies something distinctly predatory and human.