Native Orchid House

One Scoop of Orchids, Please maxillaria tenufolia orchid

Did you know that vanilla, the same stuff in your icecream, comes from an orchid? Well, it does. And not just any orchid but a native Belizean. Which is why you can find it in the Native Orchid House at BBG.

Orchids are known for their amazing variety, colors, shapes and sizes. There are about 300 different ones in Belize. In the Native Orchid House you can see many weird and wonderful forms of local orchids, from show offs (like this), to more delicate beauties (like this). See more photos of orchid flowers that could be in bloom when you visit the Native Orchid House.

About the BBG Native Orchid House

orchid house interior The Native Orchid House is our most popular collection and it is also one of our most important collections.

Since 1997 we have been working with Brendan Sayers from the National Botanic Garden, Glasnevin of Ireland on Belizean orchid expeditions. Our work together has resulted in 20 new orchid records for Belize including 1 species new to science.

The new species, Pleurothallis duplooyii, named after Ken duPlooy, has a bloom about the size of a flea. It is a good reminder that not all orchids are showy corsage pieces. It's nothing personal but we don't have hybrids or foreigner's in the Native Orchid House, so make sure to take a closer look.

Keeping Orchids Wild

Orchids, like many species today, are affected by habitat loss. This is a problem around the world because of development, logging and agriculture. Natural disasters, disease, forest mismanagement and unscrupulous collectors also play apart in endangering orchid populations.

Belize is a member of CITES , an international agreement to protect plant and animal species in danger of extinction through international trade. Orchids are protected under CITES and that makes it illegal to remove orchids from the country of Belize without a permit.

Do your part for orchid conservation and do not collect orchids (or other plants or animals) unless you have a valid reason and have obtained the proper permits. If you purchase an orchid make sure it comes from a cultivated collection and was not taken from the wild.