Mexico home to 1,200 species of orchids
When British Surrealist Edward James founded his famous gardens in Xilitla, he was initially looking for a place to house his prized orchid collection.
He was one of many aficionados of the plant, and since Mexico comes second only to Brazil in its range of native orchid species, it makes sense that many Mexicans and foreign residents alike are involved in the conservation and promotion of these exceptionally beautiful blooms.
Just about everyone is familiar with one Mexican orchid, or at least its product — vanilla. Although most “vanilla” today is either fake or not from Mexico, the flavor has been prized since the Mesoamerican period, on par with chocolate.
But many of Mexico’s orchids have uses beyond vanilla and collectibles, such as medicine, adhesives and foodstuffs. One — Prosthechea radiata — is even narcotic.
Mexico’s numerous orchid species — 1,200 species in 164 genera, of which 444 are endemic — come from the nation’s wide diversity of environments. Although most are found in central and southern Mexico, orchids can also be found in microclimates in the more arid north.
