Orchidaceae
324 species
Largest flowering family with 25,000+ species; mostly ornamental; vanilla is primary edible crop.
Acianthus exsertus
Mosquito orchid
Edible: Tuber
Acianthus fornicatus
Mountain giant orchid
Edible: Tuber
Adenochilus nortonii
Creeping fairy orchid
Edible: Tubers
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Pyramidal orchid
Edible: Root, Bulb
Anacamptis sancta
Edible: Bulb
Anoectochilus formosanus
Edible: Plant - tea
Anthogonium gracile
Edible: Rhizome, Bulb
Aplectrum hyemale
Puttyroot, Adam & Eve
Edible: Corm, Root
Bletilla striata
Edible: Bulb
Brachycorythis pleistophylla
Edible: Root, Tuber
Brachycorythis pubescens
Edible: Root, Tuber
Bromheadia finlaysoniana
Bulbophyllum fuscopurpureum
Tongue orchid
Edible: Bulbils
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum
Edible: Plant - tea
Caladenia carnea
Pink fingers
Edible: Tubers, Root, Flowers
Caladenia curtisepala
Short-hooded fingers
Edible: Tubers, Roots, Flowers
Caladenia dilatata
Fringed spider orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Caladenia filamentosa
Spider orchid, Daddy longlegs
Edible: Tubers, Root
Caladenia fuscata
Pink fairy orchid, Dusky fingers
Edible: Tuber, Root
Caladenia gracilis
Musky caladenia, Musky finger-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Caladenia patersonii
Ground orchid, Common Spider Orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Caladenia picta
Edible: Tubers, Roots, Flowers
Caladenia quadrifaria
Large pink finger orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Caladenia tentaculata
Green comb spider orchid, Fringed spider orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Caladenia verrucosa
Green-comb Spider-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Calanthe chrysantha
Edible: Root
Calanthe ventilabrum
Caleana major
Large duck orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root, Leaves
Calochilus campestris
Copper beard orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Calochilus gracillimus
Slender beard orchid, Late beard orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Calochilus paludosus
Red beardie
Edible: Tuber, Leaves, Flowers
Calochilus sp.
Bearded orchids
Edible: Tuber, Root
Calypso bulbosa
Fairyslipper, Venus's slipper
Edible: Root, Bulb, Corms
Cephalanthera longifolia
Narrow-leaved helleborine, Sword-leaved Helleborine
Edible: Bulb
Chiloglottis diphylla
Common ant orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Chiloglottis formicifera
Ant orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Chiloglottis palachila
Ant orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Chiloglottis platyptera
Barrington Tops ant orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Chiloglottis pluricallata
Brown bird orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Chiloglottis reflexa
Long-clubbed wasp orchid
Chiloglottis sphyrnoides
Ornate ant orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Chiloglottis trapeziformis
Dainty bird orchid, Broad-lipped Bird Orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Corybas aconitiflorus
Spurred helmet orchid
Edible: Tuber
Corybas barbarae
A helmet orchid
Edible: Tuber
Corybas fimbriatus
Fringed helmet-orchid
Edible: Tubers
Corybas hispidus
Bristly helmet-orchid
Edible: Tubers
Corybas montanus
Mt Maroon helmet-orchid
Edible: Tubers
Crepidium acuminatum
Edible: Bulb
Crepidium ridleyi
Edible: ?
Cryptostylis erecta
Bonnet orchid, Hooded orchid
Edible: Stems, Rhizome, Root, Tuber
Cryptostylis hunteriana
Leafless tongue-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Cryptostylis leptochila
Small tongue-orchid, Red tongue-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Cryptostylis subulata
Large tongue orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Cyanicula caerulea
Pink finger orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Cymbidium canaliculatum
Queensland tree orchid, Channel Leaf Cymbidium, Black Orchid, Cooktown Black Orchid
Edible: Stems, Fruit, Bulbs, Pods, Seeds, Root
Cymbidium ensifolium
Sword cymbidium orchid
Edible: Flowers
Cymbidium faberi
Edible: Flowers
Cymbidium goeringii
Spring flower
Edible: Flowers, Stem, Flavouring
Cymbidium hookerianum
Edible: Flower buds
Cymbidium madidum
Buttercup Orchid
Edible: Pseudobulbs
Cymbidium sinense
Edible: Flowers
Cynorkis flexuosa
Edible: Tubers, Root
Cyrtostylis reniformis
Mosquito orchid, Gnat Orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Cytherea bulbosa
Calypso
Edible: Bulbs
Dactylorhiza iberica
Edible: Bulb
Dactylorhiza incarnata
Early marsh orchid
Edible: Root
Dactylorhiza maculata
Spotted orchid, Heath spotted orchid, Adder's grass, Hen's kames
Edible: Root
Dendrobium canaliculatum
Tree orchid, Antelope Orchid, Tea-tree Orchid, Onion orchid
Edible: Pseudo-bulb, Stem
Dendrobium crepidatum
Edible: Stem, Flower
Dendrobium cucullatum
Edible: Stem, flower
Dendrobium denneanum
Edible: Flowers
Dendrobium devonianum
Edible: Stem
Dendrobium dixanthum
Edible: Flowers
Dendrobium hookerianum
Edible: Flower
Dendrobium loddigesii
Edible: Flowers
Dendrobium moniliforme
Edible: Flowers
Dendrobium salaccense
Cooking orchid
Edible: Leaves as condiment, Spice
Dendrobium speciosum
King orchid, Rock Lily, Rock Orchid
Edible: Pseudo-bulb, Stems, Flowers
Dipodium atropurpureum
Purple hyacinth orchid
Dipodium hamiltonianum
Green hyacinth orchid
Edible: Roots
Dipodium pulchellum
Dark hyacinth orchid
Edible: Roots
Dipodium punctatum
Hyacinth orchid
Edible: Tubers
Dipodium roseum
Pink hyacinth orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root, Rhizome
Dipodium squamatum
Hyacinth orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Dipodium variegatum
Blotched hyacinth-orchid, Spotted hyacinth orchid
Edible: Roots, Rhizome
Disa aequiloba
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa baurii
Edible: Tuber
Disa celata
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa engleriana
Edible: Tuber, Root
Disa erubescens
Edible: Flower nectar, Tuber, Root
Disa fragrans
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa hircicornis
Goat's horn disa
Edible: Tuber, Root
Disa miniata
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa ochrostachya
Golden candle disa
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa satyriopsis
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa sp.
Chinaka, Chikande
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa ukingensis
Edible: Tuber
Disa walleri
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa watsonii
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa welwitschii subsp. occultans
Edible: Tubers, Root
Disa zombica
Edible: Tuber, Root
Diuris abbreviata
Lemon doubletail
Edible: Tuber, Root
Diuris alba
White double tails, White donkey orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris aurea
Golden donkey orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris chrysantha
Yellow double tails
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris cuneata
Diuris lanceolata
Snake orchid, Golden moths
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris longifolia
Donkey orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris maculata
Leopard orchid, Common donkey-orchid, Spotted Double Tails
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris pedunculata
Golden moths, Small snake orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris platichila
Western Donkey orchid
Edible: Tubers, Roots
Diuris punctata
Purple donkey orchid
Edible: Tubers, Roots
Diuris striata
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris sulphurea
Tiger orchid, Hornet orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris tricolor
Tricolor donkey orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Diuris venosa
Edible: Tubers, Root
Epiblastus cuneatus
Edible: ?
Epipactis persica
Edible: Bulb
Eriochilus cucullatus
Parson’s Bands, Pink Autumn Orchid, Autumn orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Eulophia campestris
Amrita
Edible: Tubers, Root
Eulophia clavicornis var. nutans
Mauve pixies
Edible: Root, Tubers
Eulophia graminea
Edible: Tubers
Eulophia herbacea
Salep, Saleb misri
Edible: Tubers, Flower
Eulophia hereroensis
Edible: Root, Stems
Eulophia horsfallii
Edible: Tubers, Root
Eulophia plantaginea
Edible: Pseudobulb
Eulophia speciosa
Edible: Pseudobulb, Stem
Eulophia spectabilis
Spectacular eulophia orchid
Edible: Tubers
Gastrodia cunninghamii
Perei, Peri-root, Potato orchid
Edible: Root
Gastrodia elata
Gastrodia tuber, Heaven hemp
Edible: Root, Rhizome, Bulb
Gastrodia procera
Large potato orchid, Large cinnamon orchid
Edible: Tuber
Gastrodia sesamoides
Potato orchid, Native potato, Cinnamon Bells
Edible: Root, Tuber
Genoplesium archeri
Variable midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Genoplesium filiforme
Glandular midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Genoplesium fimbriatum
Fringed midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Genoplesium nudiscapum
Dense midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Genoplesium nudum
Tiny midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Genoplesium pedersonii
Red midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Genoplesium rufum
Red midge orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Geodorum densiflorum
Pink nodding orchid, Pink shepherd's crook
Edible: Rhizomes, False bulbs
Glomera diosmoides
Edible: ?
Glossodia australis
Manna (sweet) grass, Wax lip orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Glossodia major
Common Waxlip, Blue Cockies, Parson-in-the-Pulpit, Wax-lip orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root, Bulb
Glossodia minor
Small wax lip orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Goodyera grandis
Orchid
Edible: Leaves
Goodyera oblongifolia
Western Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera rubicunda
Edible: Bulb, Root, Tuber
Gymnadenia conopsea
Fragrant orchid
Edible: Root, Corm
Gymnadenia nigra
Edible: Flavouring
Habenaria acuminata
Edible: Bulb
Habenaria adolphi
Edible: Tuber, Root
Habenaria cirrhata
Edible: Tubers, Root
Habenaria clavata
Edible: Tuber, Root
Habenaria cornuta
Edible: Tuber, Root
Habenaria epipactidea
Edible: Tuber, Root
Habenaria falcicornis
Edible: Pseudobulb ?
Habenaria humilior
Edible: Tubers, Roots
Habenaria intermedia
Edible: Leaves, Root
Habenaria kyimbilae
Edible: Tubers, Root
Habenaria malacophylla
Edible: Tubers
Habenaria microsaccos
Edible: Tubers, Root
Habenaria multipartita
Uwi-uwi, Toothed habenaria
Edible: Roots, Tubers
Habenaria myodes
Edible: Tubers
Habenaria plantaginea
Edible: Tuber
Habenaria praestans
Edible: Tubers, Root
Habenaria rumphii
Edible: Roots, Tubers
Habenaria sp.
Edible: Leaves
Habenaria sparsiflora
Sparse-flowered bog orchid
Edible: Leaves
Habenaria trichoglossa
Edible: Tubers, Root
Habenaria walleri
Edible: Pseudobulbs, Tubers, Root
Herminium lanceum
Edible: Plant, Root
Himantoglossum comperianum
Edible: Bulb
Himantoglossum robertianum
Barlia, Giant orchid
Edible: Bulb
Jumellea fragrans
Bourbon tea, Faham tea
Edible: Leaves - tea
Leptotes bicolor
Bicolored leptotes
Edible: Fruit - flavouring, Pod
Limodorum abortivum
Edible: Bulb
Liparis japonica - (Miq.)Maxim.
Edible: Leaves
Microtis unifolia - (G.Forst.)Rchb.f.
Onion-Leaf Orchis
Edible: Root
Neobolusia tysonii
Edible: Tubers, Root
Neotinea maculata
Salep
Edible: Bulb
Nervilia bicarinata
Edible: Tubers, Root
Nervilia concolor
Water-root orchid
Edible: Tuber
Ophrys apifera
Bee Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys araneola
Edible: Root
Ophrys argolica
Late spider orchid, Argolian bee-orchid
Edible: Bulb
Ophrys bertolonii
Edible: Root
Ophrys bombyliflora
Edible: Root
Ophrys ferrum-equinum
Koyungozu
Edible: Bulb
Ophrys fusca
Kedigozu
Edible: Bulb
Ophrys holoserica - (Burm.f.)Greuter.
Late Spider Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys insectifera
Fly Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys iricolor
Edible: Root
Ophrys lutea
Yellow Bee Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys oestifera subsp. oestifera
Edible: Bulb, Root
Ophrys omegaifera
Edible: Bulb, Root
Ophrys scolopax
Woodcock Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys sphegodes
Early Spider Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys tenthredinifera
Sawfly Orchid
Edible: Root
Ophrys umbilicata
Edible: Bulb
Ophrys vernixia
Edible: Root
Orchis anatolica
Didimak
Edible: Bulb, Spice
Orchis anthropophora
Man orchid
Edible: Bulb
Orchis cf. sancta
Edible: Bulb
Orchis coriophora
Bug Orchis
Edible: Root
Orchis italica
Edible: Root
Orchis lactea
Salepcicegi
Edible: Bulb
Orchis laxiflora
Marsh Orchis
Edible: Root
Orchis mascula - (L.)L.
Early Purple Orchis
Edible: Root
Orchis militaris
Military Orchis
Edible: Root
Orchis morio
Edible: Bulb
Orchis pallens
Edible: Bulb
Orchis papilionacea var. papilionacea
Salepotu
Edible: Bulb
Orchis pauciflora
Edible: Bulb.
Orchis provincialis
Provence orchid
Edible: Bulb
Orchis punctulata
Edible: Tuber - drink
Orchis purpurea
Lady orchid
Edible: Bulb
Orchis simia
Toramantosiak
Edible: Bulb
Orchis ustulata
Dark-Winged Orchis
Edible: Root
Oreorchis foliosa var. indica
Edible: Bulbs
Orthoceras novae-zeelandiae
Horned orchid, Maikaika
Edible: Tuber, Root
Orthoceras strictum
Horned orchid, Bird's mouth orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Paracaleana minor
Small duck orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pecteilis susannae
Edible: Bulb
Phalaenopsis amabilis
Edible: Leaves
Pholidota chinensis
Edible: Medicine
Platanthera bifolia
Vimenjak
Edible: Bulb
Platanthera chlorantha
Edible: Bulb
Platanthera dilatata
White bog-orchid
Edible: Root
Platanthera sparsiflora
Canyon bog orchid, Fringe orchid
Edible: Root, Bulb
Platycoryne crocea
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pleione bulbocodioides
Edible: Bulb, Root
Polystachya spp
Edible: Leaves
Ponerorchis chusua
Edible: Root, Tubers
Prasophyllum brevilabre
Short-lipped leek orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum campestre
Starry leek orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum caudiculum
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum dossenum
Tall leek-orchid, Piano orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum elatum
Yellow leek-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum fimbriatum
Fringe midge orchid, Fringed leek orchid
Prasophyllum flavum
Scented leek-orchid, Sweet leek-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum odoratum
Broad-lipped leek-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum patens
Marsh leek-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum rogersii
Summer leek-orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum solstitium
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prasophyllum sp
Edible: Tubers, Root
Prosthechea cochleata
Tree orchis
Edible: Bulbs
Pterostylis abrupta
Abrupt greenhood, Drooping greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis alata
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis baptistii
King greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis barbata
Bearded greenhood, Bird orchid
Pterostylis bicolor
Two-colour greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis biseta
Pterostylis boormanii
Boorman's ruddyhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis chaetophora
Hair-lip ruddyhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis coccina
Alpen greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis concinna
Trim greenhood
Edible: Tuber, Root
Pterostylis curta
Alpen greenhood, Blunt greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis cycnocephala
Swan greenhood, Swan-headed Greenhood
Edible: Tuber, Root
Pterostylis daintreana
Daintree's greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis decurva
Summer greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis fischii
Fisch's greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis hamata
Hooked greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis hildae
Rainforest greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis laxa
Antelope greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis longicurva
Long-tongued greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis longifolia
Long-leaf Greenhood, Tall green-hood
Edible: Tuber, Root
Pterostylis longipetala
Curved greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis mutica
Midget greenhood, Blunt Greenhood
Edible: Tuber, Root
Pterostylis nutans
Nodding greenhood, Parrot Beak Orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Pterostylis obtusa
Jug-lip greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis parviflora
Tiny greenhood, Jug orchid, Green snail orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis pedunculata
Maroonhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis praetermissa
Greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis reflexa
Small autumn greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis revoluta
Autumn greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis rufa
Rusty greenhood, Red Greenhood
Edible: Tuber, Root
Pterostylis setifera
Bristly greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis taurus
Red greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis truncata
Sausage greenhood, Little dumpies
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis vittata
Banded greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Pterostylis woollsii
Long-tailed greenhood, Chinaman greenhood
Edible: Tubers, Root
Renanthera moluccana
Anggrek nerah, Bunga karang
Edible: Leaves
Satyrium aethiopicum
Aziburt
Edible: Tuber, Root
Satyrium amblyosaccos
Edible: Tuber, Root
Satyrium breve
Edible: Tubers, Root
Satyrium carsonii
Edible: Tubers, Root
Satyrium chlorocorys
Edible: Tubers, Root
Satyrium coriophoroides
Edible: Tuber, Root
Satyrium crassicaule
Edible: Tubers, Roots
Satyrium cursonii
Edible: Tuber, Root
Satyrium kitimboense
Edible: Tubers, Root
Satyrium longicauda
Blushing bride satyrium, Blushing bride orchid
Edible: Tubers, Roots
Satyrium macrophyllum
Pink-head orchid
Edible: Roots
Satyrium neglectum
Pink-candle orchid
Edible: Tubers, Roots
Satyrium robustum
Edible: Tuber
Satyrium sceptrum
Edible: Tuber
Satyrium sphaerocarpum
Edible: Tubers, Root
Scaphyglottis prolifera
Edible: Leaves - tea
Serapias bergonii
Edible: Bulb
Serapias orientalis subsp. carica
Edible: Bulb ?
Serapias patmia
Edible: Bulb ?
Serapias politisii
Edible: Bulb ?
Serapias vomeracea
Edible: Bulb - drink
Spiranthes sinensis
Ladies’ tresses
Edible: Tuber, Root, Bulb, Flowers, Leaves
Thelymitra carnea
Tiny sun orchid, Pink sun orchid
Edible: Roots, Tubers
Thelymitra circumsepta
Naked sun orchid
Edible: Root, Tubers
Thelymitra fragrans
Pink sun orchid, Fragrant sun orchid
Edible: Rhizomes, Root
Thelymitra ixioides
Dotted sun orchid, Spotted Sun Orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Thelymitra longifolia
Maori potato, Maikuku
Edible: Root
Thelymitra media
Edible: Tuber, Leaves
Thelymitra megacalyptra
Scented sun orchid
Edible: Root, Tubers
Thelymitra nuda
Scented sun orchid, Plain Sun Orchid
Edible: Tuber, Root
Thelymitra papuana
Thelymitra pauciflora
Slender sun orchid
Edible: Tubers, Root
Thelymitra pulchella
Maikuku
Edible: Root
Vanda tessellata
Edible: Root
Vanilla abundiflora
Edible: Fruit, Spice
Vanilla aromatica
Vanilla
Edible: Pod, Flavouring
Vanilla griffithii
Edible: Fruit
Vanilla guianensis
Edible: Fruit, Pod, Flavouring
Vanilla palmarum
Edible: Fruit
Vanilla planifolia
Vanilla
Edible: Pods, Fruit, Seeds, Herb, Spice
Vanilla spp.
Vanilla tahitensis
Vanilla, Tahitian vanilla
Edible: Fruit