I read another article claiming that the closest non-orchid relative of
the
orchids is the asparagus (I remember the title of the article was "An
Orchid
by Any Other Name: An Asparagus?). I think one of the point was that if
you
look at a spike before the buds have formed, you can see the resemblance.

That article was in the New York Times; I remember the asparagus reference.
Can't say just when, though. A year or two ago.

Diana