The Roots of Orchis was an American progressive rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1997 by Kris Bennett, Dan Lydersen, and Justin Pinkerton, the group initially released Live at the 25 East E as a cassette-only release. Their debut album, When the Mosquito Stung the Crocodile, was released in 1999 on Slowdance Records. The band's lineup evolved over time, with Aaron Morgan joining and Kris Bennett being replaced by Jackie Musick. They released subsequent albums such as The Red House in Winter (2000), Some Things Plural (2002), and Crooked Ceilings (2004). The Roots of Orchis shared the stage with acts including Tortoise, Michael Rother & John Frusciante, and Modest Mouse. Their final release, Empty Lands Ahead and Behind, was a digital download-only album released in 2010. The band disbanded later that year.
