Orchids of the Chapada Diamantina in Bahia

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The Chapada Diamantina is an open-air orchidarium, and you can find beautiful orchids on all the trails along the way.

Chapada Diamantina Orquideas — Orchids of Chapada Diamantina

This is an Ellongata orchid, the symbol orchid of the Chapada Diamantina National Park.

Orquídeas na Chapada Diamantina

Orquídeas na Chapada Diamantina na Bahia04:39

Main endemic orchids of Chapada Diamantina

Cattleya Elongata
Cattleya Tenuis
Adamantinia Miltonioides

1. Cattleya Elongata

Description: The flowers are beige or light brown, with a generally darker lip, making it an elegant plant.
Habitat: Found in the Cerrado, in sandy, well-drained soils.
Curiosity: One of the most emblematic orchids of the Chapada and highly sought after by collectors.

2. Cattleya tenuis

Orquídea Cattleya tenuis — Cattleya tenuis Orchid

Orchid found specifically at Fazenca Angico in Morro do Chapéu, north of Chapada Diamantina.

The Cattleya tenuis is a species of orchid endemic to the Chapada Diamantina, in Bahia, known for its delicacy and unique beauty. Also known as “Laelia tenuis” (in older classifications), this orchid is highly prized by collectors and researchers due to its rarity and ecological importance.

Features of Cattleya tenuis

Flower description

Colour: The flowers are lilac or purple, with the lip (the central part of the flower) usually a deeper shade and the edges wavy.
Size: Small to medium, with flowers measuring approximately 4 to 6 centimetres in diameter.
Sum: Each spike can produce 2 to 4 flowers.

Habitat

Cattleya tenuis is epiphytic (growing on trees) or rupicolous (growing on rocks), adapted to the dry climate and altitudes of the Chapada Diamantina.
Common in riparian grasslands, especially on exposed rocks or small trees.

Life cycle

It flowers mainly in spring, when the climatic conditions of the Chapada are most favourable.
It adapts well to the scarcity of water that characterises its natural habitat.

Distribution and habitat

It is restricted to the Chapada Diamantina, making it an extremely restricted species and a target for conservation efforts.

3. Adamantinia Miltonioides

The Adamantinia miltonioides is a rare orchid endemic to the Chapada Diamantina region of Bahia, Brazil. The genus Adamantinia is monospecific, i.e. it contains only this one species, which makes it even more special from a botanical and conservation point of view.

Properties of Adamantinia miltonioides

Flower description

Colour: Flowers are predominantly lilac or pale pink, with white or yellow details on the lip.
Form: The flowers are similar to those of the genus Miltonia, hence the name “miltonioides”.
Size: Small and delicate, usually with slender, elegant petals and sepals.

Plant

Size: Small to medium, with narrow, elongated leaves.
Habitat: It is an epiphytic or rupicolous species, growing on trees or rocks in the rupestrian grasslands of the Chapada Diamantina.

Distribution: Exclusive to the Chapada Diamantina.

Exclusive to the Chapada Diamantina, it occurs at high altitudes and in places with good sun exposure.
Adamantinia miltonioides is found in the grasslands of the Chapada Diamantina and is well adapted to the semi-arid climate and poor, well-drained soils.

Flowering

Usually flowers in late winter and early spring when temperature and humidity conditions are ideal.

How to care for and grow orchids

Map of Chapada Diamantina trails and attractions

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Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 26/11/2012 · Updated on 05/08/2025