Orchid gets named after Elton John in Singapore

Cambodian Times (ANI) Sunday 20th November, 2011

Sir Elton John had an orchid named after him at an Orchid Conference in Singapore.

The 64-year old singer, who is an avid flower lover, was honoured with the Doritaenopsis Sir Elton John at the 20th World Orchid Conference.

The Rocket Man hitmaker follows in the footsteps of the late Princess Diana, actor Jackie Chan and former South African leader Nelson Mandela, who have all had flowers named after them at the event.

John appeared at the Sands Expo and Convention Center last week with his partner David Furnish and their son Zachary, and was presented with the phalaenopsis hybrid orchid ahead of his concert in the country.

The singer was reportedly delighted with the flower, which has large white petals with a magenta pattern and golden lip.

"We've had orchids in our home all the time, so it'll be great to grow our own, so we're going to do that," Contactmusic quoted the singer as saying.

"I have had a lupine named after me and even a rose but never an orchid and this is a great honour as I am an avid lover of gardens.

"Thank you for your kindness for this as it is an eloquent list of people I seem to have joined and this is indeed the most beautiful specimen of orchid," he added. (ANI)