Yaxha, Peten, Guatemala

AQUATIC ORCHIDS? Bletia purpurea

DR. NICHOLAS HELLMUTH AQUATIC ORCHIDS?

December 2018

MAIN AUTHOR Nicholas Hellmuth FLAAR (USA) FLAAR Mesoamérica (Guatemala)

EDITION Vivian Díaz Marcella Sarti Flor Setina

COVER PHOTOGRAPH Nicholas Hellmuth

INTERNAL PHOTOGRAPHS Nicholas Hellmuth

ART DIRECTION Andrea Sánchez

LAYOUT Andrea Sánchez

This report was made in cooperation with the

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park to help Bletia purpurea promove the park, its natural resources and, Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro, f/16, 1/640, ISO 1250. Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photography by: Nicholas attract future visitors. Hellmuth, FLAAR Mesoamérica.

INDEX PHOTOGRAPH: Bletia purpurea Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro, f/16, 1/640, ISO 1000. Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala.Photography by: Nicholas Hellmuth, FLAAR Mesoamérica. 3

FLAAR Mesoamérica (Foundation for Latin American Anthropo- logical Research), is a nonprofit Guatemalan institution founded under the direction and enthusiasm of Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth, Classic Mayan Art specialist, with the aim of wanting to see our country to be recognized throughout the world for its land- scapes, culture and natural resources.

We believe knowledge and ancestral wisdom of natural resources can be taken to any kind of person through education. At the same time, it will awake admiration and desire in people who follow our work to preserve these resources. One of our main objectives is to create consciousness about looking after Mesoamerica natural diversity. Thus, the FLAAR team creates educational material to raise public awareness of it.

The work done in FLAAR Mesoamerica consists on the methodological compilation of facts about nature, flora, fauna, history, and culture of Mesoamerica, and to spread it up to the general public who play an important role in the conservation of ecosystems. One example is by making material that is easy to read, entertaining, reliable and visually pleasing, just like this report! PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG We are open to work, share and, to expand the efforts we do with other organizations, institutions or companies that share our vision.

You can find more of our work in the different digital platforms of our directory:

www.flaar-mesoamerica.org [email protected]

NATIONAL PARK YAXHA NAKUM NARANJO

Yaxha Nakum Naranjo National Park is a site of great natural and cultural importance for our country. Because of the diversity of species it holds, flora and fauna likewise is listed as a RAMSAR site because it includes three types of wetlands identify by the Wetland Convention: temporal lagoons, karstic systems, and peat bogs. From these systems stand out the Lagoon Yaxha and Lagoon Sacnab, Lankaja, Champoxte and Juleque reservoirs from the Lagoon Yaxha.

In reference to the cultural importance that this protected area represents is that it contains heritage from the Prehispanic Mayan period that includes 292 recognized sites from which four are monumental archaeological sites: Yaxha, Nakum, Naranjo, and Topoxte. Other six intermediate archaeological sites include: Naranjito, El Carmen, La Pochitoca, Poza Mayor, el Bajón y el Pital, with other 282 minor archaeological sites within. (Plan Maestro PNYNN, 2006) PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

View of lagoon Yaxha from the temple 216, one of the wetland ecosystems declared by RAMSAR. Nikon D5. Lente 100mm f/2, f/11.0, 1/80, ISO 125. Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth, FLAAR Mesoamérica. 2 FLAAR Mesoamérica

AQUATIC ORCHIDS?

While returning from an expedition on boat, from the northeast side of Lake Yaxha, I noticed a pink light purple flower along the shore. At the time I wasn’t interested to stop and look at the flower up close since we had to return to Guatemala City that afternoon (We had only a few minutes to get back to the dock at the Yaxha camp area and leave to the city)

While moving forward, about 20 meters ahead, I saw more of these pinkish flowers in the entangled grass-like reeds again. Something told me that I couldn’t let pass the chance of getting close. So I asked the lanchero to stop the boat and give us a moment to check them out. Quickly together with Teco, the tour guide that was with us, we realized it was an orchid. The first thing that came to my mind was: WOW! An orchid growing in the water, away from the shore!? (an expresion that any tourist and flower enthusiast could have thought)

- DR. NICHOLAS HELLMUTH PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4e FL ED VR. f/13, 1/320, ISO 1600. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 3 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Bletia purpurea. Sighting of the light-pink flower at the shore Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS II USM. F/2.8, 1/60, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Bletia purpurea. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS II USM. F/2.8, 1/50, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. II USM. F/2.8, 1/50, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez. 4 FLAAR Mesoamérica

WHAT IT SEEMED “SIMPLE FLOWERS” FLOATING IN THE LAGOON.

After the first stop where we watch these orchids, about 30 meters ahead, we saw more of these flowers again in the middle of more reed groups. We stopped one more time and manage to take more photographs, taking the risk of not arriving on time to the dock and not get back to the city, besides we were compromised to return the boat at certain hour. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Sighting of the light-pink flower at the shore Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/16, 1/640, ISO 2500. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 5 FLAAR Mesoamérica

For me, I’m sure that the orchid I have found at the lagoon is at least of semi-aquatic habits because:

| They look very comfortable growing in the water. All their parts and buds are in great conditions and they look adapted.

| There are no trees so close to the lagoon to make it seem that they have “fallen from one”

| Even more importantly, all the plants were found in an ecosystem very similar. It looks like the communities of this orchid always choose reed and grass within the water to grow. It’s not that they fell by chance in the water and anchor to the first plant they found. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. The first approach with the plant, I can easily realize we were in front of an orquid. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 6 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Bletia purpurea. This plant presents its flowers in a bunch-shape. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/16, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/16, Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/16, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 7 FLAAR Mesoamérica PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. This plant presents its flowers in a bunch-shape. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. F/16, 1/640, ISO 2000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 8 FLAAR Mesoamérica

A lot of orchids similar to this one are known as Swamp orchids especially to the Habenaria kind. Weird enough, here at Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park there are no swamps but two open lagoons (it is true though that the shore were the plants start to accumulate and the ground can look like a swamp)

When we just found the plant, we had no idea of its genus, even less the species of this orchid. While we were moving forward on the investigation, I found many mentions about semi-aquatic orchids in lakes and rivers in Guatemala. It is not madness that I try to find this kind of plants, since I have spoken with an orchid specialist, Fredy Archila, who clearly told me that in Guatemala exist orchids related to the water.

I have even learned that in Guatemala there exist terrestrial orchids that can be expected PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG in Peten (Now we know what to look for in our next exploration to Yaxha).

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/14, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 9 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Your donations can make it possible for us to find more (terrestrial and more water- associated) orchids. If your donation can cover the cost of an upcoming field trip or some of the resources we need for each field trip you would be welcome to join us at Yaxha- Nakum-Naranjo National Park to find more orchids, bromeliads, birds and pollinators (birds, ants, insects and mammals). Plus of course you can experience the archaeological aspect of this extensive national park. . PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Sighting of the Bletia purpurea within the aquatic grass blocks near the shore of lake Yaxha. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/16, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 10 FLAAR Mesoamérica

IT WAS FINALLY IDENTIFIED!

While making field research, we asked the people from the community if they knew the name of this plant but no one did. As it happens, after a few days after having returned from Yaxha, our friend and orchid expert, Alejandro Sagone, visited our FLAAR office and said never have Heard of any orchid with aquatic habits.

After several days trying to identify the plant, two of our research assistants found the scientific name of the orchid independently. Elena Siekavizza got the contact of one orchid expert, Maria Silvia Palmieri, through our friend Sagone.

PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea (Lam.) D.C. is also known as Bletia purpura. Orquidea de Candelaria and “Pine Pink” is a terrestrial orchid native from the south of the USA going through Central America up to north Brazil.

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 11 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/13, 1/320, ISO 1600. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth

Bletia purpurea. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/13, 1/320, ISO 1600. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/13, 1/320, ISO 1600. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 12 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Silvia received the photos of FLAAR Mesoamerica and suggested that the genus of the species could be Bletia. This approximation helped Elena to search in all de species of this genus, which was correct. On the other hand, Senaida Ba found in a book about Rio Usumacinta the same genus Bletia. Thanks that we still have a library of old physical books about the natual diversity of mesoamerica area. Senaida was able to reach this conclusion. So independently both researchers concluded that the aquatic orchid that we’ve found in Yaxha was a Bletia purpurea.

The re-discovery made by Nicholas Hellmuth’s team about the orchid Bletia purpurea, is a great contribution for botanical researches at Yaxha since now there is a series of high- resolution photographies of this beautiful plant of uncommon habits. We are sure that with the photographs that we have taken and with the debate that can be generated whether the PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG aquatic orchids exist or not, many people like botanists, orchid students, and experts will be interested in visiting Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park.

Bletia purpurea. Bunches of the plant inside the carrizo. Its roots are anchored to the aquatic grass to sprout to the surface. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/320, ISO 3200. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 13 FLAAR Mesoamérica

BIBLIOGRAPHIC MENTIONS OF BLETIA PURPUREA

In the first botanical books probably used terms we no longer use. Our research team has prepared a list with scientific documents (see bibliography section at the end of this report) where you can consult more information about this species. In the case of the book Ames & Corell (1985) where the Bletia purpurea in Guatemala is mentioned, there are registres of this species in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, Peten, Quiche, but it does not mention where this orchid lives. I fact at a moment is mention whether the plant can be found in a branch of a tree inside the river, floating or at the shore in a water body. (p. 751) PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/640, ISO 3200. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 14 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. f/14, 1/320, ISO 1250. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Fotografía por: Nicholas Hellmuth PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 16 FLAAR Mesoamérica

On the other hand, in one of the reports of Reyes (2008) clearly mentions the difference between plants with aquatic habits. His report Bletia purpurea possesses a corm does not include Bletia purpurea within the (underground stem) with a 2 to 3 cm aquatic vegetation photos but is included in the diameter and possesses up to 3 apical, aquatic plant poster next to Zapoton, Pachira lanceolate, acute and folded leaves that aquatica (that is along the San Pedro River and can measure up to 90 cm of length. Lake Izabal) which roots grow inside the water Its flowers are lilac to purple and are when the water level rises. arranged in a bunch of 3 to 40 flowers of 5 cm of width. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/640, ISO 1600. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 17 FLAAR Mesoamérica

In page 28 of the Reyes report, the Bletia purpurea is enlisted next to other miscellaneous plants inside the mention “others that are associated with the shore…”. Clearly, in this opportunity, we confirm the fact, since at Lake Yaxha this plant grows in the water 1 or 2 meters away from the shore. In this same list is also included Cucurbita lundelliana that grows along Rio Ixtinto around Topoxte island.

Further on, Reyes explains the situation: «The denomination “associated” refers to species that are not strictly aquatic but that are related to water holes , wetlands, o flooded areas…» (p. 35). She includes Pachira aquatica ( zapoton) and Haematoxylum campechianum (Palo de Tinto) with Bletia purpurea, making reference that it is found within the water, at the shore of rivers, lakes or water holes. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Pachira aquatica. Haematoxylum campechianum. Zapotec seed germinating at the water’s edge. Red stick on the shore of Laguna Yaxha on the side of El At Rio Dulce, December 2011 Sombrero Ecolodge. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. 18 FLAAR Mesoamérica PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/14, 1/125, ISO 1250. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 19 FLAAR Mesoamérica

But the Bletia purpurea that we found were not precisely at the shore of Lagoon Yaxha, but instead over a meter and a half in the water, over the carrizo base. My suggestion so everyone has a clearer idea about the place where we found this orchid is that experts in ecology, biology, limnology could define the stratum of the lagoons of Yaxha and Sacnab to tell the difference between a microhabitat and other. It would be very useful to define the ecosystem that bletia purpurea needs to survive and be spectators of a beautiful orchid.

Besides the three species before mentioned Reyes (2008:65) in her “Taxonomical list of aquatic plants associated with water bodies of the Mayan Tikal- Yaxha region” enlists

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. F/14, 1/320, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 20 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Any book about aquatic plants and riparian plants From the research my team and I did, all the is of help, obviously, a book that covers both eco- findings we have found and the information that systems would be fantastic. Thanks to the access matches with our observations are the following: to a good library with references about plants, animals, insects, etc.. and with the access to uncountable digital publications, I think It would (Ochoa et al, 2017) on page 2006 mentions: be very convenient that a biology or botanical “Terrestrial plant, over rocks, dry wood on the student want to write a scientific article or thesis trunk of trees, on trunks and stumps at swamps about “Orchids that grow in the water and not or floating in herb clumps and in the pasture over on the shore of the rivers, lakes, lagoons, and the water” wetlands of the low Mayan grounds” since there is nothing like it. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/16, 1/640, ISO 1250. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 21 FLAAR Mesoamérica

THE FINAL DISCOVERY AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH

In Endañú-Huerta’s Report, et al. (2017) states that the better-represented species in the sites are Brassavola grandiflora (8), Bletia purpurea (7) y Habenaria repens (6).” Awakens my interest to see that multiples authors mention habenaria repens in their reports, it makes me assume that this orchid is more associated with Maya areas. Besides, in the chart, no 1 (p. 401) of the publication classifies these plants and its way of living as subaquatic and terrestrial. Amazing! This term refers that they grow underwater; my observations have been over the water though. Perhaps makes reference to its underwater roots since they stay submerged in the water. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. F/13, 1/320, ISO 1600. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 22 FLAAR Mesoamérica PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/16, 1/640, ISO 1250. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 23 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Bletia purpurea. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS II USM. F/2.8, 1/50, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez

Bletia purpurea. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS II USM. F/2.8, 1/60, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez.

Bletia purpurea. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS II USM. F/2.8, 1/60, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez 24 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Another coincidence that I’m glad to have reaffirmed is the mention that these two authors make: Bletia purpurea, Habenaria pringlei y H. repens were found in subaquatic zones with other associated species (p. ej.), Pistia stratiotes L., Salvinia minima Baker) creating floating blocks scattered in the water streams. It is clearly what we watch at Lagoon Yaxha in Peten! For our next field trip, we’ll pay attention if we can find Pistia stratiotes y Salvinia minima.

I hope this report becomes a motivation for students and researchers about the great amount do aquatic orchids (or water related) that can be found at the wetlands and water bodies in the Mayan region, in the south of Mexico as in the rest of Mesoamerica countries. PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. F/14, 1/320, ISO 2000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 25 FLAAR Mesoamérica

GENERATE MORE STUDIES ABOUT AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

The research about plants related to water could be a starting point for the investigation about the condition or deterioration of the aquatic ecosystems because of the anthropogenic activities. This kind of studies would be a great contribution to the documentation of biodiversity and its changes through time whether any development of human activity close or inside these ecosystems is registered.

The study of this and other aquatic plants is also a contribution to the studies about the Classical Maya art. A lot of plants related to water were represented in the Mayan and Teotihuacan art and probably by other cultures too. For example, with Charles Zidar have suggested that the fleur de lis, stylize in many ancestral artifacts, could be the Pachira aquatica, flower, zapoton. There are other flowers very similar to the zapoton, PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG such as the ones from Ceiba aesculifolia (that are found heavily in the dry ecosystems next to Rio Motagua) Ceiba pentandra y pseudobombax ellipticum (both are found in the national parks Tikal and of course Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo).

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon 200mm f/4 AF-D Macro. f/14, 1/125, ISO 1250. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth 26 FLAAR Mesoamérica

Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/640, ISO 3200. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Bletia purpurea. Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, Nikon D810. Lente Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. f/14, 1/640, ISO 3200. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph 1/640, ISO 3200. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth by: Nicholas Hellmuth 27 FLAAR Mesoamérica

The orchids are a great attraction for many people, therefore, Yaxha national park is a place that it’s worth visiting. Every time we get back to explore the area, we’ll try to find more plants like this and the Habenaria genus that in theory should be very abundant.

We hope to see you at Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Nicholas Hellmuth taking photographs from a boat along lagoon Yaxha. 28 FLAAR Mesoamérica

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank

Lic. Leonel Ziesse –Coordinador Administrativo del Parque Nacional

Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo (DGPCyN / MICUDE)

Ing. Jorge Mario Vazquez –Jefe del Parque (CONAP)

Biolg. Lorena Lobos (CONAP)

Arq. Jorge Mario Ortiz

All the helpful and knowledgeable guides of IDAEH CONAP who

accompanied us each day. It is essential to have either an IDAEH

and/or CONAP guardabosque or comparable when doing flora and

fauna research.

We appreciate the 16 years of knowledge of birds and plants PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG of “Teco” (Moises Daniel Pérez Díaz). We also appreciate the

assistance of park ranger Ricardo Herrera. It is essential to have

either an IDAEH and/or CONAP guardabosque or comparable

when doing flora and fauna research.

Bletia purpurea. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. Lente Canon EF 300mm f/2.9L IS II USM. F/2.8, 1/50, ISO 100. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Alejandra Gutiérrez 29 FLAAR Mesoamérica PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

Nicholas Hellmuth photographing the Bletia purpurea from a boat, Senaida holding his shirt to balance the weight of the boat. 30 FLAAR Mesoamérica

GLOSSARY

WORD DEFINITIONS

Ripario “A habitat that is strongly influenced by water and that occurs adjacent to streams,

coasts and wetlands.” Www.AmericanTrails.org

In the search for Google I found an illustration that defines riparian as the ecosystem

that starts where the water ends and continues 2-3 meters inside the mainland. This

definition rules out that the riparian is within a body of water.

Another definition that I have come across is where “riparium is defined asthe

vegetation, habitats and ecosystems that are associated with bodies of water (streams

or lakes) or that depend on the perennial, intermittent or ephemeral existence of

surface water. In simpler terms, the riparian areas are the corridors of trees, shrubs

and grasses that grow along the course of the water. “

https://articles.extension.org/pages/62490/what-is-a-riparian-area PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

This definition, however, does not give me any specific reference of the specific site

where we find these orchids on the northern shore of the Yaxha Lagoon. However, it

does not rule out that it may belong to the riparian ecosystem because it was found

on the surface of the water and next to the pastures within it.

Gradually we will produce an illustrated glossary to help clarify several terms that are commonly confused by the general public. An example of the terms that we believe should be clarified in the glossary is the term “Mesoamerica.” If you ask your definition an archaeologist will get an answer based on cultural and linguistic aspects, and if you ask a botanist, your definition will probably be based on plants or ecosystems.vvc

33 FLAAR Mesoamérica BIBLIOGRAPHY

| AMES, Oakes y Donovan Stewart CORRELL 1952 Orchids of Guatemala. Dos volúmenes. Chicago Natural History Museum. Vol. 26, No. 1. 727 páginas.

| AMES, Oakes y Donovan Stewart CORRELL 1953 Orchids of Guatemala. Dos volúmenes. Chicago Natural History Museum. Vol. 26, No. 2.

| AMES, Oakes y Donovan CORRELL 1985 Orchids of Guatemala and Belize. Courier Corporation. 779 páginas Esta es la reimpresión de 1985 de tres reportes anteriores de estos especialistas en orquídeas.

| ARCHILA, Yohanna 2015 Sistematización del modelo de restauración ecológica del centro de conservación orquigonia; Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Universidad Rafael Landívar. 93 páginas. Disponible en línea: http://recursosbiblio.url.edu.gt/tesiseortiz/2015/06/22/Archila-Yohanna.pdf

| BARBA, Macías, JUÁREZ, Alva and Laura G. CALVA-Benitez 2013 Guía ilustrada para la identificación de plantas acuáticas en humedales de

PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG Tabasco. ECOSUR. 107 páginas.

| BEUTELSPACHER-Balgts, Carlos Rommel 2008 Catálogo de las orquídeas de Chiapas. Lacandonia. Vol. 2, No. 2.

| BERLIN, Brent, BREEDLOVE, Dennis E. and Peter H. RAVEN 1974 Principles of Tzeltal Plant Classification: An Introduction to the Botanical Ethnography of a Mayan-Speaking People of Highland Chiapas. Academic Press.

| CORRELL, Donovan Stewart 1965 Supplement to Orchids of Guatemala and British Honduras. Vol. 31, No. 7. 34 FLAAR Mesoamérica

| DUTRA, Daniela, JOHNSON, Timothy, KAUTH, Philip, STEWART, Scott, KANE, Michael y Larry RICHARDSON 2008 Asymbiotic seed germination, in vitro seedling development, and greenhouse acclimatization of the threatened terrestrial orchid Bletia purpurea. Plan Cell Tiss Organ Cult. No. 94. Páginas11-21. Disponible en línea: http://hort.ufl.edu/plant-restoration/kane-lab/orchids/pdf/articles/1- dutra-2008-asymbiotic-germination-bletia-purpurea.pdf

| ENDAÑÚ-HUERTA, Esthela, LÓPEZ-CONTRERAS José E., AMADOR-DEL ÁNGEL, Luis E., CARNEVALI, Germán, GUEVARA-CARRIÓ, Emma, DUNO DE STEFANO, Rodrigo and William CETZAL-IX 2017 Orchid Diversity of the Palizada-del Este Fluvial Deltaic Lagoon System, in the Area de Protectión de Flora y Fauna Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México. Acta biol. Colomb. Vol. 22, No. 3. Páginas 398-407.

| HUAMANÍ, Denis 2016 Distribución altitudinal de orquídeas terrestres como indicador del cambio climático en el Cerro Uyuca. Escuela agrícola Panamericana, Zamorano, Honduras. 57 páginas. Disponible en línea: https://bdigital.zamorano.edu/bitstream/11036/5787/1/IAD-2016-T021.pdf PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG | JOHNSON, Timothy, KANE, Michael and Héctor PÉREZ 2011 Examining the interaction of light, nutrients and carbohydrates on seed germination and early seedling development of Bletia purpurea (Orchidaceae). Plant Growth Regul. No. 63. Páginas 89 - 99. Disponible en línea: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-restoration/kane-lab/ orchids/pdf/articles/2-johnson-2011-light-temperature-bletia-purpurea.pdf

| JOHNSON, Timothy, KANE, Michael and Héctor PÉREZ 2011 Examining the interaction of light, nutrients and carbohydrates on seed germination and early seedling development of Bletia purpurea (Orchidaceae). Plant Growth Regul. No. 63. Páginas 89 - 99. 35 FLAAR Mesoamérica

| MACVEAN, A. L. and José MONZÓN n.d. Estudio preliminar de la flora de la estación científica “Refugio del quetzal”, volcán Atitlán, Guatemala. Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. No. 19. 9 páginas. Disponible en línea: http://uvg.edu.gt/publicaciones/revista/volumenes/numero-19/Art9_flora_de_la_estacion.pdf

| MÓ, Edgar and Edgar RUIZ 2012 Estudio dela orquideoflora de la reserva privada Chicacnab, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Lankesteriana. Vol. 12, No. 3. Páginas 175-190. Disponible en línea: http://www.redalyc.org/html/443/44339825007/

| MORALES, Eddy 2012 Propagación in vitro de Bletia purpurea Lam. Para la producción de semillas sintéticas. Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en tecnología y diseño del estado de Jalisco, A.C. 100 páginas. Disponible en línea:

https://ciatej.repositorioinstitucional.mx/jspui/bitstream/1023/435/1/Eddy%20Morales%20Miss.pdf

| NOGUERA, Eliana and William CETZAL 2014 Revisión e integración del conocimiento de las Orchidaceae de Tabasco, México. Botanical Sciences. Vol. 92, No. 4. Páginas 519 - 540.

PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG Disponible en línea: http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/bs/v92n4/v92n4a6.pdf

| OLMSTED, Ingrid 1993 Wetlands of Mexico. In Wetlands of the World I: Inventory, Ecology and Management… Whigham, Dykyjova and Hejny, editors. Springer Science+Business Media, B.V. Páginas 637-678

| OCHOA-Gaona, Susana, MORENO Sandoval, Fernando, JIMENEZ Pérez, Nelly del Carmen, RAMOS Ventura, Leandro Javier, MUÑIZ Delgado, Leydy Elizabeth and María Alejandra HAAS Ek 2017 Guía de plantas acuáticas y ribereñas de la Cuenca del Usumacinta. ECOSUR. Chiapas, México. 322 páginas. 36 FLAAR Mesoamérica

| PALESTINA, Rene and Victoria SOSA 2002 Morphological variation in populations of Bletia purpurea (Orchidaceae) and description of the new species B. riparia. Brittonia. Vol. 54, No. 2. Páginas 99-111.

| PARRALES, María and Eric VAN DEN BERGHE 2016 Diversidad y distribución altitudinal de orquídeas terrestres del Cerro Uyuca, Honduras. Revista Nicaraguense de Biodiversidad.No.6. 73 páginas. Disponible en línea: http://www.bio-nica.info/RevNicaBiodiv/06-Orquideas-Uyuca.pdf

| REYES-Morales, Elsa Maria de Fatima 2008 Los cuerpos de agua de la Región Maya Tikal-Yaxha: Importancia de la vegetación acuática asociada, su conservación y el valor desde el uso humano. FODECYT. Disponible en línea: http://glifos.concyt.gob.gt/digital/fodecyt/fodecyt%202008.25.pdf

Un proyecto cooperativo con varias organizaciones del gobierno y universidades. Los investigadores son Lic. Julio Enrique Morales Can, Br. Michelle Bustamante Castillo, Lic. Edgar Gustavo Ruano Fajardo, y

PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG Br. Vivian Elieth Monzon Gómez.

Incluye buenas fotos, aunque pequeñas, de vegetación acuática como los pastos.

| SOTO-Arenas M. Á. 2018 Diversidad de orquídeas en la región El Momón-Margaritas- Montebello, Chiapas, México. Versión 1.5. Comisión nacional para el conocimiento y uso de la Biodiversidad. 37 FLAAR Mesoamérica

WEBSITES WITH PHOTOS AND INFORMATION ABOUT BLETIA PURPUREA

| http://www.orchidspecies.com/bletpurpurea.htm Photos and information

| https://goorchids.northamericanorchidcenter.org/species/bletia/purpurea/ Photos and information

| https://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/bletia.htm Photos and information

| http://ecobiosis.museocostarica.go.cr/especies/ficha/1/4015 Information

This report must be cited in the following way or with the following information: PLANTS OF YAXHA - WWW.MAYA-ETHNOBOTANY.ORG

HELLMUTH, Nicholas 2018 Aquatic orchids?, Lagoon Yaxha, Peten, Guatemala, Bletia purpurea FLAAR Mesoamerica. National Park plants Yaxha Nakum Naranjo Series. Prepared for Yaxha Nakum Naranjo National Park, educational programs.

BACKPOT PHOTOGRAPHY: Bletia purpurea. Nikon D810. Lente Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.e FL ED VR. F/14, 1/640, ISO 4000. At Yaxha, Petén, Guatemala. Photograph by: Nicholas Hellmuth