A leafless orchid before and after watering! Chiloschista parishii is a leafless orchid, so in order to photosynthesize, it has to use its roots! The roots of many orchids are photosynthetic, turning a vibrant green once they’re watered. When the roots are dry, they are a silvery grey color. The silvery outer layer is called velamen and helps in water absorption and aids in protecting the roots! We always love seeing the change these orchids have when it’s watering day. We have plenty of oddities in the shop at the moment! #plants #houseplants #plantshop #portland #orchid #leaflessorchid #chiloschistaparishii #weirdplants #plantsplantsplants