Tropical orchids

Tropical orchids

The genus Dendrobium belongs to the family of Orchidaceae, better known as (tropical) orchids. The species Dendrobium originates from tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia and some of the Pacific islands. Many of them are classified as ornamentals, but still play an important part in the floral industry ¹

Meaning and Symbolism

The word 'orchid' has a Greek origin and means testicles. That is due to “the shape of the root tubers of the plant. […] Orchids have been associated with sexuality in many cultures.” ² Also they have been associated with fertility and virility, perfection and beauty, love, luxury, and opulence. ³

Interpretation of being the flower of ease regarding the short story A Cup of Cold Water

Being the flower of something means being “the best part or best example of something.” ⁴

In this example “[...] made him peculiarly susceptible to those forms of elegance which are the flower of ease” ⁵, the kind of elegance Woburn experiences, each time he accompanies Miss Talcott, is the best kind of ease and tranquility he has ever experienced.

1 https://www.britannica.com/plant/Dendrobium2 https://gardenerdy.com/orchid-flower-meaning3 Ibid.4 https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/the-flower-of-something5 Wharton, “A Cup of Cold Water”, 153.