Mexican Orchid of the Month: Leochilus crocodiliceps

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Crocodile-Headed Leochilus  Leochilus crocodiliceps By Biól. Karen Muñoz July 7, 2026 During the month of July, a tiny inhabitant of the Vallarta Botanical Garden draws special attention: Leochilus crocodiliceps, an orchid whose name refers to the species’ most striking feature. Although its flowers are small, barely reaching about 2 cm […]

Mexican Bird of the Month: Habia rubica

Mexican Bird of the Month: Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica By Biól. Karen Muñoz Julio 1, 2026 What is that sound coming from the trees? Keep your ears open and observe carefully, as this month’s bird is usually easier to hear than to see. It is the Red-crowned Ant-tanager (Habia rubica), a shy species that typically […]

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Bletia macristhmochila

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Bletia macristhmochila By Biól. Adolfo Servin June 5, 2026 The orchid of the month for June is one of the most beautiful and ephemeral species in our flora: Bletia macristhmochila. It is a geophytic plant, meaning a species capable of storing energy reserves underground in tubers or pseudobulbs during unfavorable […]

Guardianes de Encinos: estudiantes de El Cuale comprometidos con la conservación

Oak Guardians: El Cuale Students Committed to Conservation By Cristóbal Sánchez May 23, 2026 On April 15 and 16, 2026, a follow-up visit was conducted for the oak conservation project in the Sierra El Cuale, in western Jalisco. This activity was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Maribel Arenas, a researcher from UNAM’s FES Iztacala […]

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Encyclia adenocarpos

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Encyclia adenocarpos By Biól. Oscar Rodríguez Ramos  May 12, 2026 The orchid of the month for May is a modest yet undeniably beautiful orchid: Encyclia adenocarpos. It is characterized by pear-shaped pseudobulbs and fairly thin, long leaves. The labellum and the column of the flower are tightly joined, as if […]

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Lycaste crinita

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Lycaste crinita Mexican Orchid of the Month: Haired Orchid Lycaste crinita   By Biól. Oscar Rodríguez Ramos March 4, 2026 Lycaste crinita, also known as “Canelita” or The Haired Lycaste, is an epiphytic orchid endemic to Mexico, recognized for its unique appearance and delicate fragrance. This species is found exclusively in the […]

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Prosthechea madrensis – The Shell Flower of the Sierra Madre

Mexican Orchid of the Month: Prosthechea madrensis Mexican Orchid of the Month:The Shell Flower of the Sierra Madre Prosthechea madrensis   By Biól. Oscar Rodríguez Ramos March 4, 2026 A Mexican Orchid with History and a Subtle Fragrance The Orchid of the Month is Prosthechea madrensis, commonly known in Mexico as flor de concha (shell flower). This species stands out […]

Orchid of the month: Trichocentrum brachyphyllum

Orchid of the month: Trichocentrum brachyphyllum Orchid of the month: Chorizo con huevo Trichocentrum brachyphyllum   By Biól. Oscar Rodríguez Ramos  February 7, 2026 A pseudobulbous epiphytic orchid with a very funny name in Spanish and a somewhat complicatedtaxonomic history. The peculiar name in Spanish of this orchid refers to its resemblance to atypical Mexican […]

Barkeria Obovata

Mexican Orchid of the Month:Barkeria obovata Mexican Orchid of the Month: Barkeria obovata   By Cristóbal Sánchez and Jesús Ángel Barajas January 21, 2026 The genus Barkeria comprises at least 17 species, of which 15 are found in Mexico, and 7 occur within our botanical garden and its surrounding areas. This month, we present a particularly small orchid […]

Orchid of the month: Barkeria scandens

Orchid of the month: Barkeria scandens Orchid of the month: Barkeria scandens   By Biól. Jesús Ángel Barajas Fragoso November 18, 2025 The orchid Bakeria scandens is endemic to Mexico, growing natively in Guerrero, the State of Mexico, Michoacán, and Oaxaca. Prized for its elegance and ornamental value, this striking species has captivated national and international collectors, becoming a […]