Leaves

Like the lilies, orchids have rather thick leaves with parallel nerves. Exceptions like the lily Paris or the orchid Goodyera have a net of nerves on the leaves. Some orchids have dots or rings on the leaves which can vary. The orchids of the warm lime areas store hygroscopic Salep slime in bulbs and leaves which lets them survive the winter with green leaves. Other orchids don't form a rosette but they bring their sprouts right under the surface and unfold the leaves early in the spring. The leaves of the rhizom orchids appear later and they stay green until the first night frosts make them wither.