Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research on orchids has experienced substantial growth since the early 20th century, reflecting their ecological and evolutionary significance. METHODS: This paper provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of orchid-related literature published between 1902 and 2024, based on data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection™ (WoS). RESULTS: The primary goal is to assess the global research landscape of orchids by identifying key authors, institutions, and journals, as well as major research themes in the field. A thorough analysis of publication trends, citation frequencies, and keyword co-occurrence networks was conducted to uncover significant research hotspots. The findings indicate that orchid research has evolved from foundational topics such as taxonomy and classification to more intricate subjects, including conservation strategies, orchid-pollinator dynamics, and the role of orchids in ecosystem functions. Additionally, biotechnology-related research is emerging as a dominant trend. This study also highlights that China has the highest publication output, while collaboration between the United States and Europe continues to grow. The co-word analysis of keywords suggests that future research is likely to continue to focus on orchid conservation, the impacts of climate change, pollination biology, and symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. CONCLUSIONS: This review offers valuable insights for researchers and conservationists, helping to identify future research priorities and strategies for the preservation and sustainable use of orchids.