Distribution
Orchidaceae are cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat apart from glaciers. The world's richest concentration of orchid varieties is found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central America, but they are also found above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia, and two species of Nematoceras on Macquarie Island at 54 degrees South.
The following list gives a rough overview of their distribution:
- Oceania: 50 to 70 genera
- North America: 20 to 26 genera
- tropical America: 212 to 250 genera
- tropical Asia: 260 to 300 genera
- tropical Africa: 230 to 270 genera
- Europe and temperate Asia: 40 to 60 genera
Read more about this topic: Orchidaceae
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