Nizanda, Oaxaca is located in the Isthumus of Tehuantepec. It is primarily a tropical dry forest with some unusual limestone outcroppings. It is known for it's hot springs, caves and diverse plant populations. Several species are unique to this area and bear the locality name - Encyclia nizandensis, Agave nizandensis, Anthurium nizandensis and the not yet published Tillandsia nizandensis. Other plants in Nizanda are Ficus petiolaris, Ficus pertusa, Ficus ovals, Beucarnea sp., Busera excel, Plumeria rubra, Hechtia isthmusiana, Tillandsia concolor, T. ionantha, T. makoyana, T. schiedeana and T. caput medusae to name a few.
I had the opportunity to visit for the first time in January with my friend Andy Siekkinen, owner of Eagle Eye Adventures. His company offers cultural and botanical excursions to Mexico. I met up with him after one of his tours, and we collaborated on some field research. This interesting area is one of several protected biological zones in Mexico. Several surveys of the plants and animals have been published noting the importance of this region. It is truly a botanical oasis in the middle of a tropical dry forest. Difficult to appreciate the beauty from photos alone. Here is a video which not only shows the diversity of plants on this limestone outcropping but you can also hear the wind! And you have to be really careful here as the wind gusts are strong and if your footing is not careful you will be blown onto a sharp chard of limestone or worse yet a spiny Cactus or Hechtia.
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