Costa Rica Reigns As World Orchid Champion.

Costa Rica is the reigning “Orchid Champion” of the world, with an amazing 1,600 species taking root within her borders. The delicate flower is known to grow and flourish here, and the country’s own national flower, la guaria morada (Cattleya skinneri), is a particularly beautiful orchid specimen. If you’re here this weekend, you’re especially lucky, as the country puts on it’s annual Exposición Nacional de Orquídeas (National Orchid Exposition) on March 14, 15, and 16 at the Costa Rican Tennis Club (near La Sabana Park).

The Exposition features incredible displays from national orchid clubs, informative sections on the growth and care of orchids, and even a place to stock up on your favorite species. Pay close attention to care instructions, as orchids are notoriously fragile creatures. You are sure to learn why the flowers are so important to Costa Rica.

In the last five years, an incredible 60 new species have been found in the country - flowers that bloom for only one day, species with tiny blooms, flowers in all colors of the rainbow. Orchids are prevalent in warm climates, especially in tropical forests, which is why Costa Rica is home to so many.

With over 22,000 world species, orchids are not only beautiful, but diverse. In fact, some orchids, like the Oncidium and Cohniella are used in Mexico as a substitute for the hallucinogenic peyote. They are also said to have served as the model for the famous Mayan gold eagles, many examples of which may be found in San José’s own Museo de Oro (Gold Museum).

Both the orography and geographic location of the country favors the proliferation of orchid plants of both South America and Mesoamerica, but given the extreme diversity of species, it’s sometimes difficult to tell the beautiful blooms apart. There have been several cases of mistaken identity, righted by scientists dedicated to studying orchids.

Eight years ago, the Italian philosopher and orchid specialist Franco Pupulin arrived in Costa Rica to write a definitive book on the country’s native orchid species. The first volume, Vaninshing Beauty, was published in 2005 and details 400 of Costa Rica’s orchid species. The writer promises that he has enough information gathered for three more installations, upping his species total to between 1,500 and 1,600. Pupulin concludes that, “according to the diversity index, Costa Rica is the world champion” of orchid species.

Whether you live in-country or are here for just a visit, taking a look at the natives species is an absolute must. Bring your camera and nose along, as orchids have magnificent colors and scents to send you swooning. Year-round offerings, like Lankester Botanical Gardens (Cartago Province) and Wilson Botanical Gardens (Puntarentas Province) are perennial favorites of orchid lovers, as well as a garden in Palmares (Alajuela Province) which dedicates itself fully to the national flower.

Costa Rica’s extensive native orchid collection earns it the title of ranking World Orchid Champ for a reason. As a tourist and nature lover, you can both respect and admire these exquisite blooms at the country’s several orchid gardens and shows. And if you’re in town, head to the National Orchid Expo for one of the best shows you’ll ever see.

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Filed under: Costa Rican Wildlife on March 13th, 2008