Determination keys

A rose by any other name would smell the same , given you get it to flower. One of the challenges we face in orchid culture is labeling the plant with its correct name to establish its requirements. To facilitate this we use determination (identification) keys, commonly under the form of dichtomous keys. A dichotomous key works by offering two alternatives at each juncture, and the choice of one of those alternatives determines the next step (more than two choices yields a polychotomous pathway key). For each level of distinction, there is normally a further indent. Some keys use different numbering systems.

In culture, data on the origin of the plant is mostly omitted, lost or neglected by growers. It must be stressed that this is important information that should be logged in notes and written down on the label. It plays a large role in the value of your collection and can be usefull from a conservation point of view.

European orchids


Orchids of Australia and New Zealand


Flora of China on harvard.edu
  • Key to the Orchidaceae of China (draft)
  • Key to the Orchidoideae of China (partial, in review)
  • Key to the Cypripedioideae of China (in review)


Flora of New South Wales on FloraOnline
  • Key to the Orchidaceae of NSW


Flora of North America on eFloras.org


Interactive Key to Australian Orchid Genera