Researchers in Colombia identified a new orchid species named “Dracula colombiana”. For years, this species had been mistaken for Dracula benedictii.
From a casual walk in the municipality of Urrao, Antioquia, in July 2020, emerged one of the most fascinating botanical discoveries in the country in recent years. Eduar Durango, then a zootechnics student at the University of Antioquia, discovered tiny orchids clinging to a tree branch during a hike through a cloud forest.
At first glance, he knew they belonged to the Dracula genus, but unlike others he had seen, these did not match any known description, according to accounts shared by the University of Antioquia. This observation sparked a serious investigation that culminated, only recently, with the formal description of a new species: Dracula colombiana, the first in its genus to carry the nationality of its country of origin in its name.
Characteristics of the Dracula Colombiana, new orchid species from Colombia
Dracula colombiana stands out for its small and compact flower, which measures between 2 and 3 cm in the central part, with spurs reaching up to 7 cm. Its leaves are thin with a leathery texture similar to polished leather, ranging from 10 cm in young plants to 30 cm in mature specimens; its roots are fine and cylindrical, well adapted to absorption in misty environments.
One of the key traits that distinguishes it from its sister species, Dracula benedictii, is that in the new species, the epichile (the upper part of the petal) is longer than the hypochile, while in benedictii it is the opposite. In addition, the protruding central lip of Dracula colombiana shows a uniform deep pink color, while in benedictii it is white with pinkish tones.
The sepals of the new species are cream-colored with reddish papillae and fine hairs that give them a velvety texture, in contrast to the dark purple papillae and warty appearance of benedictii. Together, these subtle morphological differences were decisive in recognizing its uniqueness.
How was Colombian Dracula discovered?
The discovery was the result of a joint effort between biology students from the University of Antioquia Durango, Esteban Dominguez, and Santiago Mesa and experts from the Universidad de Las Americas in Quito, Ecuador, and the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Thanks to the collection of a holotype specimen in its natural habitat, preserved in the herbarium of the University of Antioquia, the formal scientific description was published in June 2025 in the journal Phytotaxa.
The University of Antioquia herbarium plays a central role in these findings. It houses collections accumulated over decades, many of which remain unidentified until carefully reviewed by specialists. In fact, in 2024 alone, 26 new plant species were described from its collections, including orchids, legumes, magnolias, and other families. This underscores how academic training and access to historical collections are key to advancing conservation and biodiversity knowledge in Colombia.
A species in a precarious situation
Dracula colombiana inhabits fragmented cloud forests of the Western Andes at elevations between 1,700 and 2,300 meters above sea level, in regions of Antioquia, Risaralda, and Quindio. Due to its limited distribution, habitat fragmentation caused by agricultural and urban expansion, and the pressures of illegal orchid trafficking, researchers have proposed its inclusion in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List under the “Endangered” category.
The genus Dracula is one of the most trafficked in the illegal orchid trade. In particular, Dracula benedictii has been heavily commercialized despite its low reproductive success outside its native environment. This context places the new species in an especially vulnerable position.
With the addition of Dracula colombiana, Colombia reaffirms its position as a world leader in orchid diversity. The country is currently home to more than 4,270 recorded orchid species, of which 1,572 are endemic meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth.