We awoke before dawn and
drove for two more hours through sheer mountain passes to the trailhead. All
morning we made our way through cloud forest on cattle trails and faint
human trails. The farmer on whose land the orchid grows intercepted us and
told us the local police knew we were here and were looking for us. They had
heard we were coming and were convinced that we were orchid thieves.
Fortunately for us the local constabulary had been misinformed as to which
trailhead we were using and were waiting for us at the wrong location. The
farmer, however, was spooked and wouldn't allow us to proceed and farther.
Not wanting to argue with a stranger with a machete, but having come this
far we facilitated our continuance by hiring him on the spot to guide us
through the remainder fo the trail.
Afer five or six more river crossings and a long, near vertical climb, we
arrived at the only known location on the planer where this miracle of
nature grows. All of our weariness and our aches and pains melted away as we
stood in the midst of this verdant slope and took in these magnificent
blooms; their brilliance shining out against the green. We could have gone
another thousand miles...
I've spent a good portion of
the last twenty years or so in the forests of South America. I've explored
every type of habitat; from lowland rainforests to the highland cloud
forests and paramo. What I had the good fortune of seeing on my trip to Peru
in November was among the most spectacular sights of all my journeys. It was
an orchid, a newly discovered giant pink, purple and yellow lady slipper
like flower that has turned the botanical world and the orchid community on
its ear. Phragmipedium kovechii has, in its short history, generated great
controversy and has sent at least two people to prison, its discoverer being
one of them.
My journey had its beginnings when I was invited by a friend, a commercial
orchid grower from Bucks County, to join a small group trekking to the
highlands of mid-northern Peru to see this extremely rare plant "en situ"
(in its natural habitat). The catch being, that its natural habitat in on
cliffsides in extremely remote forest locations in Peru.
Now, enter the world of
beautify, mystery, surprises and paradise on earth. Start your exploration by clicking on the frog below. From
there, let your mouse wander on the screen until you see your pointer change
into a small hand. Click that area and travel further into the rainforest
where you can view our photo movie.
Landing in Lima I joined Pepe
Portilla, an old acquaintance from Ecuador, John Salventi my friend from
Parkside Orchids, and two other orchid enthusiasts. Pepe served as out
guide. From Lima, I took a jet, a small bush plane, an old Toyota pick up
and even a 1978 Ford Suburban limousine that used to run between Miami and
the Miami Airport which got us to the small town nearest the trail that we
wold take to the cliffs.
