June 2016 - Karen Muir

The Palomar Orchid Society is pleased to welcome Karen Muir for a presnetation on Maxillarias. WikipediaKaren Muir describes that genus as “a diverse genus, with very different morphological forms. Their characteristics can vary widely. [Maxillarias] are commonly called spider orchids, flame orchids or tiger orchids. Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word maxilla, meaning jawbone, reflecting on the column and the base of the lip of some species, that may evoke a protruding jaw.”

Karen hails originally from Michigan where she started raising orchids in 1972.  She was a member of the Michigan Orchid Society and held all of the offices of the Society including show chair, program chair, vice president and president.  In 1997, Karen became an accredited American Orchid Society Judge. Eighteen years ago, Karen moved to Irvine, California where she retired in 2002. Karen now resides in Laguna Niguel, California.

Karen served five years as Chair of the Pacific South Judging Region and was an AOS Trustee. She is the Affiliated Societies Chair and Treasurer for Orchid Digest.  Karen has traveled to Canada, Guatemala, Ecuador, Brazil, South Africa and Japan to attend, lecture at, and judge orchid shows.