Orchid. Close-up of an unidentified orchid, family Orchidaceae. This family consists of about 18,000 species. The maturation and germination of orchid seeds may take a number of years, and orchids live in symbiotic association with various fungi. The appropriate fungus is needed before a seed can germinate, which makes cultivation difficult. This plant was found growing in high altitude cloudforest (here at 1,500 metres) where temperatures are low, and rising winds bring near continuous precipitation or mists throughout the year. Photographed in western Ecuador.