PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, an international orchid show will transform the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University into a spectacular world of flowers. The International Orchid Show and Sale will be held April 12–14, 2013, in collaboration with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society. The event is free with regular museum admission.

The orchid extravaganza will feature more than 30 spectacular exhibits showcasing beautiful, sometimes bizarre, often fragrant, and always interesting orchids in full bloom. Visitors will marvel at the unparalleled beauty, complexity and diversity of the world's largest family of flowering plants, Orchidaceae, the scientific Latin name.

Arrayed throughout the museum will be more than 1,200 plants from orchid societies and individuals. These entries will be evaluated by certified American Orchid Society judges from the U.S. and Canada. Nearly 25 vendors from Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brazil, Ecuador, and the U.S. will set up shop and offer orchid plants as well as growing supplies and related giftware.

This International Orchid Show and Sale is the largest of its kind in the U.S. outside Florida and California. This is the first time the event will be held at the Academy, the nation's oldest natural history museum.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to appreciate and enjoy a vastly diverse array of these exotic plants all in one place," said Academy President and CEO George W. Gephart, Jr. "The fascination with orchids dates back centuries, with some harrowing tales of orchid thieves and species endangerment."

In addition to the orchid displays and market, there will be lectures, activities for families, and tours by appointment of the Academy's world-renowned botanical collection of about 1.4 million specimens, including about 9,000 orchids.

"This is the first time an orchid show of this magnitude will be held in Philadelphia," said Robert Sprague, co-chair of the show for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society, one of 600 chapters of the American Orchid Society. "Moving the show to the Academy will bring the joy of orchids to an even greater audience."

Show hours are Friday, April 12, noon–8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit ansp.org/orchidshow. Group sales 215-299-1060.

SOURCE Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University