Endersby examines the cultural significance of orchids across different historical periods, framing their meaning through the lenses of science, empire, sex, and death. He traces how orchids have been symbolically and materially entangled with colonial expansion, particularly in their role as coveted commodities. The book details how orchids, once rare and exotic, became integral to European imperial projects, serving as markers of wealth and status. Endersby also engages with Darwinian theories of evolution, using orchids as a case study to explore the intricate relationships between plants and pollinators (Endersby, 2016).
 

For my research, Endersby’s work underscores the colonial legacy embedded in orchid classification and trade. The botanical documentation of orchids—often presented as a neutral, scientific endeavor—was in fact deeply intertwined with imperial resource extraction and control. This insight is crucial as I investigate ways to decolonize the visualization of orchids. By acknowledging their history within colonial networks, my project seeks to move beyond the static, taxonomic representation of orchids and instead experiment with more dynamic and context-aware forms of visual storytelling, such as sensor-based interactions that reveal the living presence of these plants.