Worldwide there are about 35,000 species of Orchids. Ecuador hosts 4,400 species which is  12-1/2 % of the total species. South American has been well endowed with a vast cornucopia of orchids and Ecuador is fortunate to have been gifted with a large proportion which includes thousands of species The lush vegetation is fed by abundant moisture from the mist-laden air and provides home to a multitude of epiphytes ("air plants") including bromeliads, orchids, mosses and ferns. The astonishing diversity of orchids found at The Magic Birding & Hiking Circuit, provide enjoyment for visitors also interested in Birdwatching, Hiking, Naturalist Tours and Photography Tours in Ecuador.

You will find orchids as epiphytes on trees, as lithophytes on rocks or rooted in the soil in the more traditional terrestrial fashion. Orchids in Ecuador grow in all ecosystems and some species range up to 4000m but the majority are found in the humid cloud forests and rainforests of Ecuador, such as San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Tandayapa Valley Cloud Forest) and San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest). Some are so plentiful as to be considered weeds growing in disturbed areas. Others grow high up in the crowns of tall tropical trees. If you love orchids then San Jorge Eco-Lodges & Botanical Reserves is the perfect place to see and admire them in the wild natural environment.

One of the most interesting features of orchids is their interactions with pollinators, mainly insects. Many orchids and animals co-evolved together for mutual benefits. Orchids modified their flowers to attract pollinators. The beautiful shapes, colors and smells of some orchids were not invented to attract bees which are main pollinators of orchids (and flowers in general).  White orchids often bloom at night and attract moths, bats and other nocturnal animals. The tubular structures of Elleanthus species offer pollen to hummingbirds.

Here are some of the best known genera of Ecuador Orchids and those which are most frequently found in the country’s lush and tropical rainforests: