How many kinds of fragrance do orchids have? A full analysis of orchid fragrance types

The fragrance of Chinese orchids is collectively known as "subtle fragrance" (youxiang). Different species of orchids each have different fragrances. For example, the fragrance of the Four Seasons Orchid (Cymbidium ensifolium) is relatively strong, the scent of the Ink Orchid (Cymbidium sinense) resembles osmanthus fragrance, and the fragrance of the Spring Orchid (Cymbidium goeringii) is the purest, being the archetype of subtle fragrance. However, some Spring Orchids have only a faint delicate scent, and some Spring Orchids have no fragrance at all. Huilan (Cymbidium faberi), with several flowers blooming together, also has fragrance. How many types of orchid fragrance are there exactly?

1. Subtle fragrance (youxiang): This is a fragrance that, when smelled, refreshes the mind and lifts the spirits, making one feel extremely comfortable. Subtle fragrance: when at the door it welcomes guests, and indoors it becomes even more fragrant. When you deliberately try to smell it, it refuses to release its scent; it drifts with the wind, fragrant where the heart does not intend. The fragrance comes and penetrates the lungs and internal organs; after a while it is no longer smelled, and the fragrance and the person become one - it is very special. Subtle fragrance is unique to Chinese orchids.

2. Delicate fragrance (qingxiang): This is also an orchid fragrance, but it cannot be carried by the wind; this is called delicate fragrance. Commonly known as: "having fragrance but no aura." With this type, if you gently pat the orchid pot with your hand or fan the air near the flowers with your palm, the fragrance still cannot drift out. Only when you get close to the orchid's flowers can you smell the fragrance.

3. Grassy fragrance (caoxiang): Among Chinese orchids, some varieties have only a faint fresh grassy scent, or a rather strange odor, commonly known as: "having aura but no fragrance."

Fragrance is the soul of Chinese orchids. It is unimaginable that the orchid, the "king of fragrances," could be without fragrance. An orchid known as "national fragrance" (guoxiang), if it has no fragrance, cannot be called a Chinese orchid. Therefore, while it is certainly good for an orchid to have fragrance, it is even better if it has subtle fragrance.