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What the Flora!? Episode 3 - Orchids: Getting a Helping Hand in Survival

Orchids are like the canaries of our ecosystems – their health acts as an indicator of overall ecosystem health. Watch the latest episode of What the Flora!? To find why scientists are trying to protect the world’s orchids.

Orchids occur across the whole world, growing on nearly every continent - but they are under threat. Your host Vanessa Fuchs investigates what scientists are doing to protect orchids. She is joined by Seedbank Officer Gavin Phillips, and Technical Officer Jessica Wait, who explain just how much work it takes to conserve these important plants.


The Australian Institute of Botanical Science consists of the physical and virtual scientific collections, research, services, facilities and staff at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. The new Institute will be one of the nation’s premier botanical research organisations and will help ensure the survival of plants and build more resilient ecosystems for future generations.