Ecuador is one of the world’s foremost orchid destinations
Edited by Anna Popper
On 14 November 2024, the Hungarian Agricultural Museum in Budapest was transformed into a vibrant floral wonderland with the opening of the Mysterious Orchids of Ecuador: Orchid and Bromeliad Exhibition, organised by the Hungarian Orchid Society in collaboration with the Embassy of Ecuador in Hungary, which was officially inaugurated by Mr. László Sipos, President of the Hungarian Orchid Society, and H.E. Cynthia Mayer Zavala, Ambassador of Ecuador to Hungary.
This exceptional event, focusing on the unique orchids of Ecuador, attracted a distinguished audience, including members of the diplomatic corps, Hungarian authorities and representatives of various sectors. It also captivated a diverse group of orchid enthusiasts, drawn by the rare beauty of these extraordinary flowers, which are highly valued by local admirers for their uniqueness and amazing variety.
The exhibition, which showcased Ecuador’s diverse and enigmatic orchids, featured a captivating display of Ecuadorian orchids curated by Ecuagenera, a leading Ecuadorian company based in the Gualaceo Valley that specializes in the cultivation, preservation and hybridization of orchids, and is also internationally renowned for its work in orchid discovery, conservation and propagation, making it a key player in preserving Ecuador’s rich natural heritage.
Visiting this magnificent orchid display, open for only four days, offered a rare opportunity to explore these extraordinary flowers in stunning settings and arrangements in the gallery of the Agricultural Museum, housed in a historic building in the City Park, originally built for the Budapest Millennial Exhibition in 1896.
During the event, Ambassador Mayer Zavala gave an insightful presentation titled “The Impact of Ecuador’s Flower Industry on Economy and Tourism”. She explained how Ecuador’s flower industry, which generated over US$1 billion in exports in 2023, plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.
Flowers are Ecuador’s fifth most important export products, reaching over 120 countries, including Hungary. The flower industry provides approximately 120,000 jobs, with roses accounting for the largest share of exports, ahead of gypsophila and other seasonal blooms. Ecuador’s rich climate and geographical diversity make it one of the world’s foremost orchid destinations.
The Ambassador pointed out that Ecuador’s orchids are not only a marvel of nature, but also a significant attraction for domestic and international tourism. She introduced the “Orchid Route”, an exceptional journey through various reserves and botanical gardens, where visitors can admire orchids in their natural habitat. Ecuador offers six unique orchid routes, including one in the Galápagos Islands, where travelers can explore fascinating species like the Maywa Orchid of Quito, the Flower of Guayas, the Dracula Orchid, and the smallest orchid in the world.
In her speech, Ambassador Mayer Zavala also praised Ecuador’s unique position as the most biodiverse country in the world, as the country lies on the Equator, which helps preserve its extraordinary biodiversity and cultural heritage, being a natural laboratory, particularly in the Galápagos Islands.
Ecuador, despite being one of the smallest countries in South America with a total land area of 283,561 km² and 6,720 km² of water, has the highest biodiversity of animal and plant species by surface area. The country has classified and described over 17,000 plant species, including more than 4,300 species of orchids. Notably, Ecuador is home to over 1,714 endemic orchid species.
One of the contenders for the title of the smallest flower in the world is an orchid of the genus Stelis, discovered in Saraguro in southern Ecuador. This tiny flower measures just 0.7 millimetres in diameter. On the other end of the spectrum, the largest orchid flower is Phragmipedium wallisii, whose sepals and petals can extend into long strands up to one to two meters in length.
Ecuador is recognized as the birthplace of ‘cacao’, a fact supported by the discovery of an ancient ceramic jar at a remote archaeological site in southeast Ecuador. This vessel contains 5,300-year-old cocoa remains. One of the replicas of this vessel was donated to the Szamos Chocolate Manufacture by the Embassy of Ecuador in Hungary and is now on display at the Szamos Chocolate Museum in Kossuth Square, near the Hungarian Parliament.
Concluding the lecture, the Head of Mission presented a video entitled: “This Is Why Ecuador”, highlighting the country’s unparalleled beauty and biodiversity. She invited travelers, naturalists and nature enthusiasts to explore Ecuador’s wonders, particularly the Orchid Route, which offers a unique opportunity to experience the country’s vast orchid variety and breath-taking landscapes.
The Ambassador expressed her gratitude for the realization of the exhibition, which was made possible thanks to the support of Mr. László Sipos, President of the Hungarian Orchid Society. His unwavering dedication to promoting the appreciation of orchids was instrumental to the event’s success. The display left attendees in awe of Ecuador’s floral treasures, enriching their understanding of the vital role orchids play in the natural heritage and economy of the South American country.
The opening event ended with a cultural program featuring traditional Ecuadorian folkloric dances, followed by a small reception hosted by the Embassy.
Source: Embassy of Ecuador in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Ecuador in Budapest and DPA
