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Ecuador’s floral wonders: The enigmatic orchids take centre stage in Budapest
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On November 14, 2024, the “Mysterious Orchids of Ecuador” Orchid and Bromeliad Exhibition was held at the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, organized by the Hungarian Orchid Society in collaboration with the Embassy of Ecuador in Hungary. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, local authorities, business representatives, and the general public.
Astonishing Ecuadorian orchids in Budapest
Ecuagenera, an Ecuadorian company specialized in the cultivation and preservation of orchids and hybrid species, showcased Ecuador’s rich natural treasures with its extensive variety of wild orchids. Based in the Gualaceo Valley, Ecuagenera plays a leading international role in the discovery, conservation, and propagation of orchids.
As part of the event, Ecuador’s Ambassador to Hungary, Cynthia Mayer Zavala, delivered a lecture titled “The Impact of Ecuador’s Flower Industry on the Economy and Tourism.”
The Ambassador highlighted that Ecuador exported flowers worth over $1 billion in 2023, making them the country’s fifth most important export product, reaching 120 destinations, including Hungary. The flower industry directly and indirectly generates approximately 120,000 jobs. Roses dominate flower exports, accounting for 73%, followed by gypsophila and other summer flowers.
Ambassador Mayer Zavala emphasized Ecuador’s extraordinary biodiversity, noting that more than 17,000 plant species have been classified in the country, including over 4,300 orchid species, of which 1,714 are endemic to Ecuador. One of the smallest known flowers, an orchid from the Stelis genus, was discovered in Saraguro, in southern Ecuador, measuring just 0.7 millimeters. The largest orchid, Phragmipedium wallisii, has petals and sepals that can reach lengths of one to two meters.
Ecuador is recognized as one of the world’s foremost orchid countries, thanks to its exceptional geographic location and unique climate. Orchids are an integral part of Ecuador’s natural heritage and a significant attraction for both domestic and international tourism.
