Students study orchid conservation in China

Orchids or Orchidaceae is a flower that has been revered in China for thousands of years, where it represents wealth and fortune to the Chinese. If you are in China, staying at a Hotel Yunnan like the Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa , viewing orchids in their natural habitat is a must as you will not only be able to experience the beauty of this rare flora, but also take a nature trek through the lush tropical vegetation. Thus, it was a dream come true for the FIU students when they were given the chance to spend 2 months studying orchids in Southwest China as part of the Science Foundation’s East Asian Pacific Islands Summer Institute Program. Using modern molecular and microbiological techniques the students participated in orchid research and conservation as the flower is considered endangered, facing threats from habitat loss and climate change. This floral beauty is of such high importance in China that it plays a prominent role in the country’s history, traditional medicine, art, and literature.