Imagine waking up one day, looking down, and noticing a small plant wrapped firmly around your arm.

You’re confused, and initially a little concerned. What does the plant want? Is it nefarious? Will it attempt to drain you of your precious resources like some kind of botanical parasite?

Upon closer inspection, however, the plant’s attachment appears to just be superficial. You could remove it if you wanted, but you decide not to – it’s not harming you after all.

Also, you’re a tree, and the removal process is difficult without hands.

As the months pass, the plant slowly grows, feeding off minerals in the dust and bits of dirt that land on you whenever the wind blows. It uses you for nothing more than physical support, and over time you start to forget it’s even there.

Until one day, you wake up again, look down, and notice a burst of vibrant colour. From within your previously dull-looking plant – flowers have emerged. And they’re beautiful.

Suddenly everyone is interested in you. Curious scientists study you, passers-by stop to look at you, and eager naturalists take photos of you. The attention is overwhelming, and if you’re being honest, the situation has gotten kind of orchid.

…

Did I write that entire story as an elaborate build-up to a fairly underwhelming pun? Probably.

But epiphytic orchids are definitely some of nature’s most beautiful creations, and there is something rather wholesome about a flower that spends its time happily hanging out on a tree branch until it’s time to bloom.

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Epiphytic Orchid (Erycina glossomystax), Manu Biological Station, Peru 🇵🇪