Explore Troja’s Botanical Garden for a Vibrant Showcase of Orchids and Birds!

This season at the capital city’s Botanical Garden in Prague is all about orchids. The Prague Botanical Garden is currently showcasing an exhibition that features the enchanting world of beautiful orchids. These flowers are often seen as the queens of allure and the exhibition aims to uncover the captivating ways these plants attract their pollinators. Some orchid species provide sweet nectar as a reward for those who help them with pollen transfer, while others cleverly implement tricks and traps to deceive insects, enabling pollination without offering any reward in return. At the exhibition titled Orchids: Queens of Intrigue, located in the Fata Morgana greenhouse, visitors can view nearly 100 species of native orchids sourced from various parts of the world. Some of these orchids are on permanent display, while others are part of the botanical garden’s extensive collection of 2,300 species, showcased during special exhibitions. Additionally, the display is enhanced by unique and rare orchids borrowed from other botanical gardens and private collectors.

Diverse arrangements are further complemented by a variety of hybrid orchids that many people may recognize from shops and homes. The exhibition also features an orchid sale along with other houseplants, giving enthusiasts the chance to acquire unique pieces for their collections. The sales area is located in the exhibition hall of the Ornamental Garden.

Admission fees for the exhibition are 180 CZK for adults, 120 CZK for children aged 3 to 15 years, and students, while seniors over 60 years can enter for 95 CZK. The Fata Morgana greenhouse welcomes visitors daily, except on Mondays, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hours.

A trap with a slipper, false females, or fragrant offerings

One fascinating strategy is known as “the slipper as a trap.” This method is utilized by the orchid Cypripedium calceolus, which sports a distinctive feature: its bulging snout resembles a slipper. While it appears inviting, it actually serves as a clever trap for pollinators. Insects are lured inside through a prominent opening at the top, yet they find themselves unable to leave through the same route. The enticing light draws them toward the flower’s center, where they must navigate a narrow pathway that leads them around the stigma and past pollen grains. This process ensures that any pollen already on their bodies is transferred to the stigma before they collect new pollen, preventing self-pollination from happening. The trip through the flower is a one-way journey, and these flowers do not offer any reward to their pollinators.
In contrast, false female orchids, such as Ophrys or Czech toreys, primarily thrive in the Mediterranean, with several rare species also found in the Czech Republic. These flowers don’t produce nectar; instead, they imitate the appearance of female solitary bees through their mouthparts, which have similar colors and hair textures. Moreover, their flowers emit scents that mimic the bees’ pheromones. Males typically emerge before females in nature, coinciding with the blooming of these orchids. Inexperienced and eager males attempt to mate with these flowers, thus helping with the pollination.

On the other hand, the Stanhopea embreei orchid attracts pollinators through its scent. This South American orchid boasts large, waxy flowers that do not yield nectar but release a potent fragrance. Only male solitary bees from the Euglossini group pollinate these flowers by collecting the aromatic liquid to create their own pheromones to lure females. The flowers are positioned downwards, compelling the males to land on the smooth base of the labellum, where they struggle to maintain their hold. If they slip, they promptly fall onto the orchid’s reproductive organs situated at the base of the flower.

Birds in Prague exhibition and outdoor presentations

In addition to the orchid exhibition, visitors can also view a panel exhibition titled Birds in Prague, which is currently displayed on the terrace of the exhibition hall. This exhibition showcases the avian inhabitants of the capital city across various Prague habitats. Here, you will discover not only species that breed regularly in the area but also those that can be observed during migration or wintering periods. The bird population in our city changes constantly—some species are slowly disappearing, while others are gradually appearing. Step into the world of Prague’s avian life, but don’t expect to see them in cages or as taxidermied exhibits. Instead, they are represented through stunning illustrations by renowned illustrator and zoologist Jan Hosek, which bring to life the content of the book *Prague Birds 1800-2020*. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Czech Ornithological Society, provides a closer look at the birds that contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of urban life.

For those enjoying sunny weather, a delightful walk through the outdoor displays is a must. Here, spring bulbs, shrubs, and trees are in full bloom. The first magnolia flowers can already be admired at the Peony Meadow. Over the weekends, interesting lectures will also take place. On Saturday, grower Jan Kocourek will share some secrets about bamboo and guide attendees on how to cultivate them effectively. On Sunday, you’ll learn about how bacteria and plant roots interact and how humans fit into this dialogue. These lectures are hosted in the Exhibit Hall and commence at 5:30 PM. The orchid exhibition runs until Sunday, March 23, while the Birds in Prague exhibit will remain on display until March 31, 2025.

The seven wonders of the orchid kingdom

• • The majority of orchid species can be found thriving in the tropics of both the Americas and Asia, but they are actually present across the globe, with the exceptions of extreme deserts and areas that are permanently covered in snow and ice.

• • At the southernmost point, orchids Corybas dienemum and Corybas sulcatus reside on Macquarie Island, which is located south of New Zealand, roughly halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica.

• • Northernmost orchids are found in Europe, specifically in Scandinavia, where Lysiella oligantha and Dactylorhiza lapponica subsp. lapponica can be located beyond the 70̊ north latitude.

• • The largest orchids in the world are Grammatophyllum speciosum, native to the lowlands in Southeast Asia. The individual stamens of this orchid can reach lengths of up to three meters, and the entire plant can weigh more than a ton. The flower stalks can also be three meters long, with each stem boasting 30 to 50 flowers that are approximately 15 cm wide.

• • The orchids with the largest flowers are Paphiopedilum hangianum from northern Vietnam, discovered only in 1999. Its impressive flowers can reach widths of up to 16 cm, making it a contender for the largest in surface area. Another remarkable species is Paphiopedilum sanderianum, which has long, elongated petals that can extend up to a meter in length.

• • Among the smallest orchids are various species from the genus Bulbophyllum, which have parts that measure just 3 to 4 mm in size.

• • The tiniest orchid flowers are around 1 to 2 mm in size. Certain species can produce high numbers of these small flowers (for instance, Oberonia can produce several thousand in a single inflorescence), while in others, they appear singularly (like some species within the genera Lepanthes, Pleurothallis, and Stelis).

• • The tallest orchids belong to the genus Sobralia, where the tallest recorded stem of S. altissima measured

• • an impressive 13.4 m, although the more common height for these orchids is approximately 5 m.

Unique features of the Prague Botanical Garden

The Prague Botanical Garden is home to various fascinating orchid curiosities. For instance, several species from the genus Chiloschysta are cultivated here; these orchids are unique in that they do not require leaves for photosynthesis—the green structures of their roots have adapted to take on the leaf role, with their flowers sprouting from the base. Another remarkable species is the Dendrobium cucumerinum, characterized by its stump-shaped flowers that resemble tiny cucumbers.

Additionally, there exists a large variety of miniature orchids that are subjects of scientific inquiry, as well as many rare species from the genus Paphiopedilum, which the Botanical Garden cultivates in its laboratory.

Website: www.botanicka.cz