Collection

As of 1 April 2010, Orquídeas Moxviquil floral collection consists of over 3000 rescued plants with 418 species of the 700 recorded for Chiapas. The collections database has over 5000 entries of the epiphytes and other flora. Although this is an excellent beginning, it must continue to grow and mature, successfully creating the largest database of Chiapas flora available and an extensive living collection all dedicated to the people of the world.

Chiapas has the richest biodiversity in all of Mexico, and is one of the most important ecosystems in the world. Over 700 species of orchids are found in Chiapas alone, compared with 1300 in all of Mexico. Orquídeas Moxviquil has been successful in rescuing well over half of the positively identified Chiapas orchids. Cisco has collected in over 200 unique locations in Chiapas, from the Altos to the selva and many places in between. The principal locations represented in the collection are, the Los Altos, Comitán Valley, Lagos de Montebello, Ocosingo, the central Tuxtla Valley, and to a smaller degree, the southern terminus of La Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Cañon de Sumidero, the Selva Lacandón, and Naja.

The collection has rescued several orchids that are near extinction in their natural areas, saving many unusual and rare flowers from destruction. All orchids rescued are vital for maintaining a database of living bio-diversity, and for ensuring the multi-dimensional use of these endangered plants.