Hiking Beyond its vast collection, the garden is full of very special stories, species and settings. And here we have the top 5 of some natural wonders that you cannot miss when visiting this charming space in Bogota:
1. Colombian magnolia (Magnolia espinalii): It is apparently a common plant, almost unnoticed in the thick green of the garden. However, it is a colossal, rare and endemic tree that is in danger of extinction.
In the Botanical Garden of Bogota a restorative process of this important specimen is underway. It is a very unusual species and, if you look closely, you will see its oval leaves with a fine and robust texture at the same time. In addition, two things attract your attention: its flower and its fruit.
The fruit is woody, elliptical and irregular, and is known as a "grinder", just imagine why. But, without a doubt, it will undoubtedly be the solitary flowers of this plant individual that will captivate you: large and oval petals with a smooth texture, a delicate beige tone that reaches the purest white and a deep citrus aroma, it will evoke the most dreamlike ones. lovely sensations!
2. Cattleya trianae: Known as the May flower or lily, it is well known in Colombia for being the national flower. Its name comes from an amateur English orchidologist, William Cattley and the second part is a tribute to one of the great botanical doctors of the country, José Jerónimo Triana.
This orchid is a diverse, exotic flower of incomparable beauty. Its elongated petals are full of chiaroscuro, intense lilac, semi albas tones and in the sepals purples, light blue and more colors are distinguished that will catch you.
3. Bogotan tea: Around 1804 José Celestino Mutis realized that it was not necessary to continue expanding the tea trade with the East if Colombia produced a plant of similar qualities, and possibly higher than that of China. He found the plant and named it Bogotan tea.
In a study called "observations on the possibility of finding among our plants an equivalent to Chinese or American tea", the wise Mutis reinforced his idea based on 10 principles, which would later be validated by the Spanish government, through 9 considerations :
1. Its fragrance is more pleasant, more perceptible to the senses and requires less sugar.
2. It is effective to lift the spirit, brighten the mood and promote sweating.
3. It serves in the cooking, correction and restoration of drinking water, just like Asian tea.
4. Its consumption potential in countries like England is enormous.
5. Bogota tea would replace the tea consumed in England due to quality, price and access, since it would be available in Spanish ports such as Cádiz and Malaga.
6. To introduce it to Europe it would be necessary to apply the same model of distribution and propagation of coffee.
7. The model indicates that once the product is accredited it can reduce its value and become accessible to the public.
8. Bogota tea should first undergo medical tests to find out its effects and then it could be distributed, initially, among the upper classes of Spain.
9. It is suggested to call the drink only: “Bogota”.
In the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden you will find evidence of a mythical plant, with incomparable fragrances, a world-class plant.
4. Meriana del Putumayo: Known as the queen of Colombian flowers. It is a rare species, endemic and in danger of extinction. It is native to Ecuador and is found in the Putumayo department. A few months ago the plant flourished in an environment different from the native one, it flourished in the Botanical Garden of Bogota.
With large leaves, defined markings and a very bright green on its sepal and body, it is a true specimen. Its flower is perhaps its greatest attraction: a fluorescent orange tone with a delicate texture on each petal and a kind of crown of red filaments that end in white anthers, will leave you absorbed. La Meriana del Putumayo is a natural treasure that you must visit.
5. Mutissia clematis: Considered the emblem of the Botanical Garden of Bogota. It is a vine-like plant that climbs logs or elevated surfaces. It has tendrils (thread-like outlets) of a faint green that give it a very particular touch.
Its flower is its most beautiful element. Although tiny, it stands out from the green tangle that surrounds it. It has a special cadence, it seems as if it had its own movement, a pendulum type; its elongated orange petals with small reddish streaks and yellow pistils, achieve a perfect natural game.
Carlos Linneo, the famous Swedish botanical scientist, gave it the name in honor of the wise Mutis. It is said that the Spanish botanist cultivated it in Colombia and later it would become endemic.
So we close this ladder and as you can see, there is more than one reason to let yourself be taken to the Botanical Garden of Bogota. So let yourself be captivated by the colors of nature, the sounds of birds and the delicate fragrances of plants. Achieve a total natural communion, discover the vital essence and connect your senses with a beautiful refuge full of nature in the capital of Colombia.
