Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 🥳🌿. 2024 has had such great memories that we step into 2025 with excitement about what the New Year holds. Thanks for following our journey and keep 👀! #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Maxillaria acuminata is one of many we saw on our explorations. This was on a quiet roadside tree near Baeza. Many of the trees host lots of different epiphytes of all sizes! 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Pterichis pauciflora was seen in the cloudy Antisana Reserve close to the pink Elleanthus previously posted. This genus is one of approx 44 species of cool growing, terrestial orchids that grow at high altitude over 3000m 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Another Telipogon today. This species is possibly williamsii - a tiny flower growing as an epiphyte on a roadside tree near Mindo, the cloud forest outside Quito.🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

A rare unusual species today - Telipogon andicola with petite yellow flowers that are bigger than the plant. Growing on a steep cliff at 3000m. It dies back after blooming, resting until next season. #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Oncidium strictum a petite cool growing epiphyte on the road from Mindo to Quito. This species has been used in nearly 180 hybrids - one of the icons in our collection is Prince Vultan (strictum x nobile) that won an Award of Merit. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Epidendrum spathatum (aka embreei) was seen in a cloud forest reserve near Mindo. This beautiful orange flower - often these bright coloured orchids are pollinated by hummingbirds 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Epidendrum glossaspis was found on the roadside leading up to Gualaceo 🇪🇨 . It is interesting this is non-resupinate meaning the flowers do not turn round 180 degrees during development leaving the lip in uppermost position! 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Elleanthus maculatus was found in the Antisana Ecological Reserve growing lithophytically on volcanic rock. This stop was towards the end of the day and it was very cloudy making finding orchids even more of a challenge. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Phragmipedium longifolium was another trip highlight. This was found beside the roadside near Mindo directly on the equator making it easier to photograph. Several hidden amongst the tall grass which needed an expert eye to spot! 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Today’s Phragmipedium is x richteri a natural hybrid (pearcei and boisserianum) also found in Ecuador as part of our travels. This has beautiful colourings. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Phragmipedium pearcei was seen growing in several locations growing lithophytically on the banks of rivers in the Amazon basin. Despite being periodically flooded in high rainfall or storms the colonies we saw were large and healthy. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Phragmipedium bessae is an iconic Ecuadorean species and it was really special to see a few in flower growing high on a water strewn bank on the roadside in the foothills of the Andes. The flowers are petite but shine like jewels. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

A stunning one today - this is Crytochilum pastacae another highlight to see in nature. This one was spotted at 1700m on a windy high road leading from the Amazon basin to Cuenca. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Another Crytochilum that matches one from our collection. This is diodon a small scrambling epiphyte with many small flowers which are yellow and brown. This was also spotted on the roadside to Quito from Mindo 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Another Crytochilum today - this one is serratum . This was rambling through the trees on the steep roadside from the cloud forest in Mindo down towards Quito and has large brown distinctive flowers. #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Now back from travels in Ecuador sharing some of the amazing orchids seen there. Starting with Crytochilum geniculatum, with striking coloured burgundy and white flowers, seen growing on the roadside near Mindo in North Ecuador. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

You can help increase The Mathers Foundation’s entries into @easyuk’s giveaway to win 1 of 2 £500 donations – every new supporter who joins is an entry! Sign up before midnight 26th October, it’ll only take two minutes: https://t.co/ugyyQtDzm2

Heading away for a month on an orchid conservation trip so will not be posting for a while….thanks for following and will be back early November 👀 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Oncidium D'Auvergne flowering in the warm house - this has warm growing species in its ancestry so has been moved to see the results 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation

Ludisia discolor was donated earlier this year by the McDonald family. With strong leaf markings one has just come into flower. So grateful for everyone who supports us and enables us to have a growing diverse collection. 🌿 #orchids #orquídeas #nature #conservation