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Natural Histories

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Nature that has had a profound impact on human culture and society across history.

Nature that has got under our skin and profoundly impacted human culture and society across our history.

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Natural Histories: Orchid

Factual: Science & Nature

Orchid

11/09/2018

BBC Radio 4 - Natural Histories, Orchid

Orchids and a world filled with beauty, femme fatales, ghosts, sex and deception.

Brett Westwood explores our relationship with orchids and uncovers a world of obsession, beauty, femme fatales, ghosts, sex and deception.

Mark Flowers is a wildlife film maker and a man with a passion for orchids. He has been collecting and growing orchids since he was a child – and as he guides Brett round his collection he reveals just how these stunningly beautiful plants have captivated him over the years.  The story of our relationship with Orchids is a story of obsession, money, deceit, beauty,  femme fatales,  ghosts deception  and let's be honest, sex. Orchid flowers come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes – but they  all have one thing in common – they have evolved to maximise their chances of luring a pollinator and be fertilised – and they do so with such style! It's easy to see why have they captivated and lured us too! 

Originally broadcast in a longer form on 11th September 2018

Original Producer Sarah Blunt

Archive Producer : Andrew Dawes

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