By: Nat. Eduardo Villegas
We want to share the Vanilla pompona with you. Hands down, it is one of Mexico´s most emblematic orchids, due to its exploitation.
This orchid belongs to the “climbing orchids group” as a “vaine.” It can grow up to 20 feet, climbing different species of trees in the forest. The blooming season starts in late March and lasts until May.
An interesting fact about this particular plant is how short the pollination window is: these exotic flowers remain open for less than one day.
Furthermore, they get pollinated by a specific species of bees, the Euglossa, which is only found in Mexico. V. pompona is one of the species used to obtain the second most expensive spice in the world, Vanilla.
There is a Vanilla Plantation at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, one of the few in the region, which you will enjoy on your next visit.
