Collection and trade of wild-harvested orchids in Nepal.

Background: Wild orchids are illegally harvested and traded in Nepal for use in local traditional medicine, horticulture, and international trade. This study aims to: 1) identify the diversity of species of wild orchids in trade in Nepal; 2) study the chain of commercialization from collector to client and/or export; 3) map traditional knowledge and medicinal use of orchids; and 4) integrate the collected data to propose a more sustainable approach to orchid conservation in Nepal.

Methods: Trade, species diversity, and traditional use of wild-harvested orchids were documented during field surveys of markets and through interviews.

Pollination and protection against herbivory of Nepalese Coelogyninae (Orchidaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Although many species in the orchid genus Coelogyne are horticulturally popular, hardly anything is known about their pollination. Pollinators of three species were observed in the field in Nepal. This information is urgently needed because many orchid species in Nepal are endangered.