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With more than 600 species of orchids, Nicaragua is prime territory for one of nature's most exquisite treasures. Selva Negra Mountain Resort (www.selvanegra.com) - in the central region of the country - boasts at least 140 species on its grounds, with 14 hiking trails that make orchid sighting anything but rare. Selva Negra sits in a cloud forest -an ecosystem ideal for orchids and other air plants. "The best time to visit is the dry season, from February to May - little rain and cool temperatures says," Pat Werner, author of An Introduction to Nicaraguan Orchids. Werner says one of his favorite orchid genera is Stanhopea (five species have been identified at Selva Negra; the dodsoniana, pictured above, was first found four years ago). "The Stanhopea flower looks like a hovering butterfly, and some are very aromatic, with a fragrance of vanilla and others of hot chocolate," Werner says. - Lisa Gerry
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