Vanilla: More than a Fragrance, a 1,500-Year Legacy

Vanilla: more than a fragrance, a 1,500-year legacy Vanilla: more than a fragrance, a 1,500-year legacy Vanilla: more than a fragrance, a 1,500-year legacy Vanilla: more than a fragrance, a 1,500-year legacy Vanilla: more than a fragrance, a 1,500-year legacy By Antonio Gómez April 30, 2026 Intertwined with trees in a “loving vegetal embrace,” vanilla begins at the […]

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 […]

Platystele stenostachya: The Tiny Orchid That Challenges the Eye

The Tiny Orchid That Challenges the Eye: Platystele stenostachya The Tiny Orchid That Challenges the Eye Platystele stenostachya   By Biól. Oscar Rodriguez Ramos February 19, 2026 Platystele stenostachya is a miniature orchid that bears one of the smallest flowers in the plant kingdom, making it a true gem within the world of Mexican orchids. This species is native to […]

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 […]

Cuitlauzina pulchella

Cuitlauzina pulchella Cuitlauzina pulchella Lily of the Valley Orchid   By Biól. Jesús Ángel Barajas Fragoso April 08, 2026 With a native range spanning from El Salvador to southern Mexico, the Vallarta Botanical Garden welcomes this small and beautiful flower. The genus Cuitlauzina was named in honor of Cuitláhuac, penultimate Mexica emperor and a highly […]

Guaranteeing the future of four endangered orchid species

Guaranteeing the future of four endangered orchid species Guaranteeing the future of four endangered orchid species By Christopher Jacobs July 22, 2025 It may be tucked away inconspicuously in one of our conservatories, but the in vitro Orchid Propagation Laboratory at the Vallarta Botanical Garden is a powerhouse of conservation. Every year the lab cultivates […]

Trichocentrum oestlundianum

Mexican OrchidTrichocentrum oestlundianum Mexican Orchid Trichocentrum oestlundianum   By Biól. Jesús Ángel Barajas Fragoso July 3, 2025 Native and endemic to the Pacific coast in the states of Jalisco, Michoacán, and Nayarit, the Trichocentrum oestlundianum thrives in mangroves, forested roads, and barren lava flows. It is one of the orchids commonly called “mule ears” because […]