Origami Orchids Kit (9780804854931)

Create beautiful paper models of 20 orchid species!

Display native orchids with these realistic paper replicas that you simply pop-out and glue together—no scissors required! These paper sculptures were produced under the direction of scientists at the North American Orchid Conservation Center, which is located at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland.

This kit features:

• A full-color book presenting fascinating information about the orchid species.
• Precut pieces for 20 beautiful 3D paper orchids
• Detailed assembly instructions for each model, which are ranked by difficulty
• A display base for each model

The accompanying book explains the efforts that are underway to conserve threatened and endangered native North American species. The project introductions show photos of the finished models as well as stunning photos of each model's living counterpart.

The amazing collection of orchids in this kit includes:

• The Showy Lady's Slipper Orchid: the tallest US-native orchid, which is threatened in part due to its 15-year maturation period
• The Water Spider Orchid: North America's only aquatic orchid, which exudes a chemical deterrent to protect its tender roots from predation
• The Dragon's Mouth Orchid: attracts pollinating bumblebees through strong ultraviolet inflorescence
• The Cigar Orchid, also know as "the Bee Swarm Orchid": has become endangered through over-collecting
• The Striped Coralroot Orchid: doesn't manufacture food through photosynthesis, but rather survives through a parasitic relationship with a fungus
• The Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid: an evergreen species with patterned leaves that resemble snake skin, and a flower spike that looks like a rattlesnake's rattle

About the Author:
Dennis Whigham is the Senior Botanist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. He has authored more than 275 articles ranging from wetland to orchid ecology. He is the Founding Director of the North American Orchid Conservation Center.

Jay O'Neill is an Emeritus Head Technician at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. He managed a variety of research projects in the Plant Ecology laboratory for more than 40 years, and continues to administer the web sites for NAOCC.

Designed by:
Maarten Janssens is a paper engineer who creates, designs and produces everything related to paper. As part of the Urban Paper Collective, he has organized and hosted several paper toy shows around the world. His design studio is located in the Netherlands.