Floral Treasures Mexican Spring Flowers
Tara A. Spears
Many people think that because we have verdant scenery all year long that the tropics doesn’t have seasonal change. But, while the winter season in Mexico is excellent with its thriving flora, spring is the warmer and driest time of the year that ignites another wave of beautiful flowers. 
Among its floral treasures, Mexico has an extensive diversity of wild orchids, encompassing around 1300 species. Orchids constitute one of the most abundant families within all Mexican flora. Recognizing the importance of wild orchids is one way to support Earth Day later this month.
The richness of orchid species and their distribution in Mexico needs to be appreciated for their environmental diversity, endemic importance and their ancient and modern uses. It is only recently that the focus of conservation efforts has identified the main threats to orchid species’ survival to be illegal trafficking, destruction of habitat, and climate change. Sadly, more than 40% of Mexican endemic orchids are classified under some category of risk according to the Official Mexican Standard. In Nayarit illegal poaching of orchids is higher than average. It’s important that public and governmental efforts address these threats to ensure the survival of orchids.
One suggested approach to protecting wild orchids centers on unifying those involved in the orchid trade networks: gatherers, nurserymen, collectors, and companies. It is the independent gatherer who wanders the jungle forests and takes the orchids from their natural environment to sell to the other participants. Unfortunately, these individuals are motivated by profit with no concern for the species and they cause overharvesting and deforestation because there is at best only weak enforcement of orchid trade regulations.
More than just a pretty plant, using orchids as decoration, in ceremonies, for ancient medicine, or in religious celebrations, is an honored Mexican tradition. The Orchid Resource Center explained that in ancient Mexico, Aztec civilizations made great use of native orchid plants. The Aztecs revered the wild orchids for their beauty, but they also saw the utility in the unique plants. 
Aztecs were among the first people in the region to discover the flavorful qualities of the vanilla orchid. They were known to make a beverage by mixing orchid vanilla with chili and chocolate. Aztec civilizations also used native orchid flowers as medicine. Records show that they used various parts of the orchid plant to heal sores and burns, soothe a bad cough, and to help ease symptoms of dysentery. Another interesting use of orchids was as a glue-like adhesive substance. Native orchids were stripped, dried, and then soaked in water to form a sticky, mucus-like gel used to repair items.
It is common to see areas where orchid hunters heedlessly tear orchids from their native habitat with little respect to their survival. New conservation efforts and the establishment of natural reserves are helping, but it’s not enough yet. Please enjoy orchids in their natural habitats where they are truly the most beautiful, or if bringing one home, purchase it from a reputable source such as a licensed nursery.
One of the best things that you can do for the environment, and orchids in particular, is to not be part of the customer base for unscrupulous poachers of endangered plants and wildlife. Sure, the guy on the street has cheap plants but at what cost to the ecosystem? Another way to enjoy orchids is to visit the Vallarta Botanical Garden. It makes for a long day but is a wonderful excursion from Jaltemba Bay. This award winning garden has a fantastic orchid house and sells them.
Preserving our area’s biodiversity of its plants and animals in Mexico should be everyone’s concern. While there are black market sellers on the streets periodically, avoid them. No environmentally responsible person should ever buy illegally collected wildlife such as wild parrots or native orchids off the street. Never buy orchids from street vendors; instead, become a protector for Mexico’s native wildlife, especially orchids, by only purchasing cultivated orchids. Check out the local plant nurseries, such as Rancho Las Palmas, and the weekly markets when you’re ready to add orchids to your home.
