By Laurie Couvertier

For each of the past 14 years, thousands of orchids from all over the world have been put on display at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. This year’s Orchid Show, in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, was inspired by the 19th-century orchid craze known as Orchidelirium.

Orchidelirium began during the Victorian era, when the Duke of Devonshire first saw the Psychopsis papilio orchid and became obsessed with collecting orchids. Orchids could only be grown through division of mature plants, which took a long time, so collectors like the Duke hired orchid hunters to search for the rare and exotic to add to their private greenhouse collections. The orchids would be placed inside protective cases made of glass, known as Wardian cases, and shipped across the seas. Since only the rich could afford to hire these hunters, owning orchids became a sign of wealth and social status.

This year, during the 125th Anniversary of the New York Botanical Garden, the Orchid Show is on display from Feb. 27 to April 17.

Entering the Orchid Show transports visitors back in time to a Victorian Era greenhouse full of bright, colorful orchids.

A huge variety of shapes, sizes and colors is on display.

Designed to replicate a natural habitat, the display includes a waterfall covered in orchids.

Orchids were difficult to propagate during the Victorian Era, but now they can be cloned using a process known as mericloning.

Orchids, still very popular today, are often imported illegally from around the world.

Illegal importation has contributed to the overcollection of orchids.

Along with the destruction of the orchids’ natural habitat, overcollection has led to orchids to becoming an endangered species.

Illegally imported orchids are confiscated by organizations like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and sent to Plant Rescue Centers.

The New York Botanical Garden , a Plant Rescue Center since 1990, has rescued thousands of plants.