Colombia showcases world-leading orchid diversity

Colombia holds the record for the highest diversity of orchid species in the world, with 4,270 registered varieties. According to the Catalog of Plants and Lichens of Colombia from the National University, 1,572 of these species are endemic to the country.

In the coffee region near Manizales, Finca Romelia serves as a major preservation site, housing approximately 8,000 specimens across 840 native varieties. The farm, managed by José Londoño and Marisa Arango, attracts international tourists from Europe, Africa, and Australia. The site also supports biodiversity by hosting around 250 bird species, including hummingbirds and pigeons.

Other significant preservation initiatives in Colombia include the Tropicario at the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden in Bogotá, the Las Orquídeas National Natural Park in Medellín, the Orquideorama in Cali, and the Orquídeas Natural Reserve in Tolima.