| The family Orchidaceae is one of the most
diverse and widespread plants, comprising approximately 28,000 species with 700 genera,
accounting for roughly 9% of all vascular plants, growing in an extensive range of habitats
but absent in the polar regions and deserts, as well as becoming a flagship taxon that has
research significance in evolutionary biology. Orchids exhibit a high ornamental value and
are favored by many people, particularly horticulturists. Some species of Cymbidium are
widely cultivated, and some hybrids with important commercial value have been produced for
over a hundred years. China has a long-standing tradition of Cymbidium cultivation and
appreciation, which is credited to have begun as early as the Tang Dynasty, or possibly as
far back as the Confucius period.
Among these Chinese orchids, C. goeringii represents a typical species of Cymbidium with a
floral shape inclined to mutation, diverse floral colour, variable floral scent, and a long
flowering period. Over the past century, some wild species have been selected for breeding,
such as 'Song Mei' and 'Jin Yuan Die'.
“The Cymbidium goeringii genome provides insight into organ
development and adaptive evolution in orchids”. Ye Sun et al. 2021. Ornamental Plant
Research.
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