The Orchid World continues to flourish and never subsides, especially for its loyal fans. Even though many hybrid orchids have emerged, fans of species orchids are still running with enthusiasm.
Many large orchids were found, to the point where they were said to be “giant” in size. Several years ago the smallest orchid was also discovered, perhaps one might say the smallest in the world.
Previously the title of the world’s smallest orchid was held by Platystele sp., an orchid originating from Ecuador which was discovered in 2009, measuring between 2 – 2.1 mm.
In 2010, an LIPI researcher, Destario Metusala, discovered an orchid from the genus Oberonia from the Mentawai Islands which had an even smaller size, namely between 1.1 – 1.5 mm.
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Plantae
Magnoliophyta
Liliopsida
Asparagales
Orchidaceae
Epidendroideae
Oberonia
The discovery of an orchid from the genus Oberonia, which is the smallest in the world, cannot be published internationally, so this discovery cannot be officially recognized. The genus Oberonia, which is widely distributed in Africa, India, Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands, has received little attention, perhaps because it is considered less commercial.