236 Species of Genus Cattleya

Cattleya: My Orchid Obsession

I’m Ferb Vu, and I’ve got a confession to make: I’m utterly captivated by Cattleyas. These orchids, with their vibrant colors and intoxicating scents, have completely stolen my heart. There’s just something about their elegance and resilience that speaks to me. Maybe it’s their tropical origins, whispering tales of lush rainforests and vibrant life. Or perhaps it’s the sheer diversity within the genus, each species boasting its own unique charm. Whatever the reason, I find myself drawn to them again and again.

A Diverse Genus

Cattleyas belong to a fascinating genus of orchids, boasting over 100 recognized species. They’re primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants for support, though some are lithophytes, clinging to rocks. Imagine them thriving in the humid air of the rainforest, their roots clinging to the bark of ancient trees, their blooms bursting forth in a riot of color.

1. Cattleya labiata: Often called the “Corsage Orchid,” this species is renowned for its large, showy flowers, typically in shades of lavender and purple.
2. Cattleya dowiana: This beauty hails from Costa Rica and boasts stunning golden-yellow petals with a crimson lip, a truly regal combination.
3. Cattleya mossiae: Venezuela’s national flower, this orchid is celebrated for its fragrant, lavender-pink blooms.
4. Cattleya walkeriana: This Brazilian native is admired for its compact size and vibrant flowers, often in shades of pink and purple.
5. Cattleya aclandiae: This unique species stands out with its spotted petals, a captivating departure from the typical solid colors.
6. Cattleya acuensis (Fowlie) Van den Berg
7. Cattleya adelinae (V.P.Castro) Van den Berg
8. Cattleya × adrienne (Rolfe) Van den Berg
9. Cattleya alagoensis (V.P.Castro & Chiron) Van den Berg
10. Cattleya alaorii (Brieger & Bicalho) Van den Berg
11. Cattleya × albanensis (Rolfe) Van den Berg
12. Cattleya alvarenguensis (Campacci) Van den Berg
13. Cattleya alvaroana (F.E.L.Miranda) Van den Berg
14. Cattleya × amanda (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
15. Cattleya amethystoglossa Linden & Rchb.f. ex R.Warner
16. Cattleya × amoena God.-Leb.
17. Cattleya angereri (Pabst) Van den Berg
18. Cattleya aracuaiensis (Campacci & E.L.F.Menezes) Van den Berg
19. Cattleya araguaiensis Pabst
20. Cattleya aromatica (Rosim & E.L.F.Menezes) Van den Berg
21. Cattleya bicalhoi Van den Berg
22. Cattleya bicolor Lindl.
23. Cattleya × binotii (Cogn.) Van den Berg
24. Cattleya blumenscheinii (Pabst) Van den Berg
25. Cattleya boissieri R.Hogg
26. Cattleya bradei (Pabst) Van den Berg
27. Cattleya × brasiliensis Klinge
28. Cattleya briegeri (Blumensch. ex Pabst) Van den Berg
29. Cattleya × britoi (K.G.Lacerda & V.P.Castro) Van den Berg
30. Cattleya × brymeriana Rchb.f.
31. Cattleya × calimaniorum Chiron & V.P.Castro
32. Cattleya campaccii (P.A.Harding & Bohnke) J.M.H.Shaw
33. Cattleya × carassana (Pabst) Van den Berg
34. Cattleya × cattleyioides (A.Rich.) Van den Berg
35. Cattleya caulescens (Lindl.) Van den Berg
36. Cattleya cernua (Lindl.) Van den Berg
37. Cattleya cinnabarina (Bateman ex Lindl.) Van den Berg
38. Cattleya × cipoensis (Pabst) Van den Berg
39. Cattleya coccinea Lindl.
40. Cattleya × colnagiana L.C.Menezes
41. Cattleya colnagoi (Chiron & V.P.Castro) Van den Berg
42. Cattleya conceicionensis (V.P.Castro & Campacci) Van den Berg
43. Cattleya crispa Lindl.
44. Cattleya crispata (Thunb.) Van den Berg
45. Cattleya × cristinae (F.E.L.Miranda & K.G.Lacerda) Van den Berg
46. Cattleya cruziana (V.P.Castro & E.L.F.Menezes) Van den Berg
47. Cattleya × cullenii U.B.Deshmukh & J.M.H.Shaw
48. Cattleya × cypheri (Rolfe) Van den Berg
49. Cattleya dacruzii (Rosim & Campacci) Van den Berg
50. Cattleya × dasilvae Campacci & Rosim
51. Cattleya × dayana Rolfe
52. Cattleya × delicata (Rolfe) J.M.H.Shaw
53. Cattleya × deniseana (Rosim) J.M.H.Shaw
54. Cattleya diamantinensis (V.P.Castro & Marçal) J.M.H.Shaw
55. Cattleya dichroma Van den Berg
56. Cattleya × dolosa (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f. ex É.Morren
57. Cattleya × dolteana (Rosim) Van den Berg
58. Cattleya dormaniana (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f.
59. Cattleya × dukeana Rchb.f.
60. Cattleya × duveenii Pabst & A.F.Mello
61. Cattleya × edmarxii Campacci & Deusvando
62. Cattleya × elegans C.Morren
63. Cattleya elongata Barb.Rodr.
64. Cattleya endsfeldzii (Pabst) Van den Berg
65. Cattleya × ericoi (V.P.Castro) Van den Berg
66. Cattleya esalqueana (Blumensch. ex Pabst) Van den Berg
67. Cattleya × espirito-santensis (Pabst) J.M.H.Shaw
68. Cattleya × feldmanniana (F.E.L.Miranda & K.G.Lacerda) Van den Berg
69. Cattleya × fidalgoorum (Rosim & Campacci) J.M.H.Shaw
70. Cattleya × fidelensis (Pabst) Van den Berg
71. Cattleya flavasulina (F.E.L.Miranda & K.G.Lacerda) Van den Berg
72. Cattleya forbesii Lindl.
73. Cattleya fournieri (Cogn.) Van den Berg
74. Cattleya × frankeana Rolfe
75. Cattleya × gaezeriana Campacci
76. Cattleya gaskelliana (N.E.Br.) B.S.Williams
77. Cattleya × gerhard-santosii (Pabst) Van den Berg
78. Cattleya ghillanyi (Pabst) Van den Berg
79. Cattleya gloedeniana (Hoehne) Van den Berg
80. Cattleya × gottoana (G.Gordon) J.M.H.Shaw
81. Cattleya grandis (Lindl.) A.A.Chadwick
82. Cattleya × gransabanensis Senghas
83. Cattleya granulosa Lindl.
84. Cattleya × gravesiana Pitcher & Manda
85. Cattleya guaicuhyensis (Rosim) Van den Berg
86. Cattleya guanhanensis (Campacci) Van den Berg
87. Cattleya guttata Lindl.
88. Cattleya × hardyana Swan
89. Cattleya haroldoi (V.P.Castro & E.L.F.Menezes) Van den Berg
90. Cattleya harpophylla (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
91. Cattleya harrisoniana Bateman ex Lindl.
92. Cattleya × hatakeyamae (Rosim) J.M.H.Shaw
93. Cattleya havenithii (Campacci & E.L.F.Menezes) Van den Berg
94. Cattleya hegeriana (Campacci) Van den Berg
95. Cattleya × heitoriana (Campacci) Van den Berg
96. Cattleya hispidula (Pabst & A.F.Mello) Van den Berg
97. Cattleya hoehnei Van den Berg
98. Cattleya × hummeliana L.C.Menezes & V.P.Castro
99. Cattleya × hybrida J.Veitch f.
100. Cattleya × imperator Rolfe
101. Cattleya intermedia Graham ex Hook.
102. Cattleya × intricata Rchb.f.
103. Cattleya iricolor Rchb.f.
104. Cattleya × irrorata (Rchb.f.) H.Low
105. Cattleya × isaacii (Rolfe) J.M.H.Shaw
106. Cattleya × isabellae Rchb.f.
107. Cattleya × itabapoanaensis V.P.Castro & D.Motte
108. Cattleya itambana (Pabst) Van den Berg
109. Cattleya × jacintoana (E.L.F.Menezes & Rosim) J.M.H.Shaw
110. Cattleya jenmanii Rolfe
111. Cattleya × jetibaensis (V.P.Castro & G.F.Carr) Van den Berg
112. Cattleya × joaquiniana F.E.L.Miranda
113. Cattleya jongheana (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
114. Cattleya kautskyana (V.P.Castro & Chiron) Van den Berg
115. Cattleya × kautskyi Pabst
116. Cattleya × kerchoveana Cogn.
117. Cattleya kerrii Brieger & Bicalho
118. Cattleya kettieana (Pabst) Van den Berg
119. Cattleya kleberi (F.E.L.Miranda) Van den Berg
120. Cattleya × labendziana L.C.Menezes & Braem
121. Cattleya × laurae (Rosim) J.M.H.Shaw
122. Cattleya lawrenceana Rchb.f.
123. Cattleya × leeana (Rchb.f.) J.M.H.Shaw
124. Cattleya × lilacina (F.A.Philbrick ex A.H.Kent) Van den Berg
125. Cattleya liliputana (Pabst) Van den Berg
126. Cattleya lobata Lindl.
127. Cattleya locatellii (F.E.L.Miranda) Van den Berg
128. Cattleya loddigesii Lindl.
129. Cattleya longipes (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
130. Cattleya lourdesiana (V.P.Castro) Van den Berg
131. Cattleya × lucieniana Rchb.f.
132. Cattleya lueddemanniana Rchb.f.
133. Cattleya luetzelburgii Van den Berg
134. Cattleya lundii (Rchb.f. & Warm.) Van den Berg
135. Cattleya luteola Lindl.
136. Cattleya × macguiganii J.M.H.Shaw
137. Cattleya mantiqueirae (Fowlie) Van den Berg
138. Cattleya marcaliana (Campacci & Chiron) Van den Berg
139. Cattleya × marciae (Campacci) J.M.H.Shaw
140. Cattleya maxima Lindl.
141. Cattleya × measuresii Rchb.f.
142. Cattleya mendelii Dombrain
143. Cattleya × mendonciana (Campacci) Van den Berg
144. Cattleya × mesquitae L.C.Menezes
145. Cattleya × meyeriana (P.Blaha & V.P.Castro) J.M.H.Shaw
146. Cattleya milleri (Blumensch. ex Pabst) Van den Berg
147. Cattleya × mingaensis (V.P.Castro & K.G.Lacerda) J.M.H.Shaw
148. Cattleya mirandae (K.G.Lacerda & V.P.Castro) Van den Berg
149. Cattleya mireileana E.L.F.Menezes, Giordani & J.C.R.Mendes
150. Cattleya × mixta L.C.Menezes
151. Cattleya × moduloi L.C.Menezes
152. Cattleya × montisaliancae (Campacci) Van den Berg
153. Cattleya mooreana Withner, Allison & Guenard
154. Cattleya × mucugensis (F.E.L.Miranda) Van den Berg
155. Cattleya munchowiana (F.E.L.Miranda) Van den Berg
156. Cattleya × neocalimaniana Van den Berg
157. Cattleya × neocalimaniorum Van den Berg
158. Cattleya neocardimii (Rosim) Van den Berg
159. Cattleya neokautskyi Van den Berg
160. Cattleya × neoreginae Van den Berg
161. Cattleya neozaslawskii Van den Berg
162. Cattleya × nesyana (Campacci & Deusvando) J.M.H.Shaw
163. Cattleya nevesiana (V.P.Castro & K.G.Lacerda) J.M.H.Shaw
164. Cattleya nevesii (Campacci) J.M.H.Shaw
165. Cattleya nobilior Rchb.f.
166. Cattleya novyi (E.L.F.Menezes) Van den Berg
167. Cattleya × occhioniana (Brade) Van den Berg
168. Cattleya × odiloniana (V.P.Castro & L.C.Menezes) J.M.H.Shaw
169. Cattleya pabstii (F.E.L.Miranda & K.G.Lacerda) Van den Berg
170. Cattleya × patrocinii St.-Lég.
171. Cattleya pendula (R.C.Mota, P.L.Viana & K.G.Lacerda) Van den Berg
172. Cattleya percivaliana (Rchb.f.) O’Brien
173. Cattleya perrinii Lindl.
174. Cattleya pfisteri (Pabst & Senghas) Van den Berg
175. Cattleya × picturata Rchb.f.
176. Cattleya pirapamaensis (Rosim) J.M.H.Shaw
177. Cattleya × pittiana O’Brien
178. Cattleya porphyrascens E.L.F.Menezes
179. Cattleya × porphyritis (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
180. Cattleya porphyroglossa Linden & Rchb.f.
181. Cattleya praestans (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
182. Cattleya presidentensis (Campacci) Van den Berg
183. Cattleya pumila Hook.
184. Cattleya purpurata (Lindl. & Paxton) Rollisson ex Lindl.
185. Cattleya pygmaea (Pabst) Van den Berg
186. Cattleya quadricolor B.S.Williams
187. Cattleya × raganii (F.E.L.Miranda & K.G.Lacerda) Van den Berg
188. Cattleya reginae (Pabst) Van den Berg
189. Cattleya × resplendens Rchb.f.
190. Cattleya rex O’Brien
191. Cattleya × rigbyana (Pabst) Van den Berg
192. Cattleya rodriguesii (Rosim) Van den Berg
193. Cattleya rupestris (Lindl.) Van den Berg
194. Cattleya × ruschii (V.P.Castro) J.M.H.Shaw
195. Cattleya × sancheziana Hoehne
196. Cattleya sanguiloba (Withner) Van den Berg
197. Cattleya schilleriana Rchb.f.
198. Cattleya schofieldiana Rchb.f.
199. Cattleya schroederae (Rchb.f.) Sander
200. Cattleya × schroederiana Rchb.f.
201. Cattleya × schunkiana Campacci
202. Cattleya × schunkii V.P.Castro
203. Cattleya × sgarbii (Ruschi) Van den Berg
204. Cattleya sincorana (Schltr.) Van den Berg
205. Cattleya × sororia Rchb.f.
206. Cattleya storeyi H.G.Jones
207. Cattleya tenebrosa (Rolfe) A.A.Chadwick
208. Cattleya × tenuata V.P.Castro & Campacci ex Braem
209. Cattleya tenuis Campacci & Vedovello
210. Cattleya tereticaulis (Hoehne) Van den Berg
211. Cattleya tigrina A.Rich.
212. Cattleya × tresederiana (Rchb.f.) Loncke
213. Cattleya trianae Linden & Rchb.f.
214. Cattleya vandenbergii Fraga & Borges
215. Cattleya × varelae V.P.Castro & Cath.
216. Cattleya vasconcelosiana (Campacci) Van den Berg
217. Cattleya velutina Rchb.f.
218. Cattleya × venosa Rolfe
219. Cattleya verboonenii (F.E.L.Miranda) Van den Berg
220. Cattleya × verelii (Rolfe) Van den Berg
221. Cattleya × victoria-regina Mast.
222. Cattleya × victoriacarolinae (Campacci & C.R.Espejo) J.M.H.Shaw
223. Cattleya violacea (Kunth) Lindl.
224. Cattleya virens (Lindl.) Van den Berg
225. Cattleya viridiflora (Verola & Semir) Van den Berg
226. Cattleya wallisii (Linden) Rollisson
227. Cattleya warneri T.Moore ex R.Warner
228. Cattleya warscewiczii Rchb.f.
229. Cattleya × wetmorei (Ruschi) Fraga & A.P.Fontana
230. Cattleya × whitei Rchb.f.
231. Cattleya × wilsoniana Rchb.f.
232. Cattleya wittigiana (Barb.Rodr.) Van den Berg
233. Cattleya × wyattiana (Rchb.f.) Van den Berg
234. Cattleya xanthina (Lindl.) Van den Berg
235. Cattleya × zaslawskii (L.C.Menezes) Van den Berg
236. Cattleya × zayrae V.P.Castro & Cath.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

But Cattleyas are more than just pretty faces. They possess an inner strength and resilience that I find truly inspiring. These orchids have adapted to thrive in challenging environments, clinging to life amidst the humidity and competition of the rainforest. They remind me that beauty can flourish even in the most unexpected places.

And their cultural significance is just as rich. In many cultures, orchids symbolize love, luxury, and beauty. Cattleyas, in particular, are often associated with strength and refinement. They’ve graced corsages at elegant events and inspired countless works of art.

My Cattleya Journey

My own fascination with Cattleyas began a few years ago when I stumbled upon a vibrant Cattleya labiata at a local flower show. I was immediately captivated by its beauty and intrigued by its unique structure. That single encounter sparked a passion that has only grown stronger with time.

Since then, I’ve been on a journey of discovery, learning everything I can about these incredible orchids. I’ve poured over botanical books, attended orchid exhibitions, and even tried my hand at cultivating a few Cattleyas of my own. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience.

Cultivating Cattleyas: A Labor of Love

Growing Cattleyas can be tricky, but the rewards are well worth the effort. These orchids require specific conditions to thrive, including bright, indirect light, high humidity, and good air circulation. They also need a well-draining potting mix, as their roots are prone to rot in soggy conditions.

One of the most satisfying aspects of cultivating Cattleyas is witnessing the emergence of a new bloom. It’s a moment of pure magic, a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature. The delicate petals unfurl, revealing their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. And then there’s the fragrance, a sweet and intoxicating aroma that fills the air.

A Lifelong Passion

My journey with Cattleyas is far from over. I’m constantly learning new things about these fascinating orchids, and I’m always eager to expand my collection. I believe that there’s an endless amount of beauty and wonder to be discovered in the world of Cattleyas.

If you’re looking for a plant that is both beautiful and challenging, I highly recommend giving Cattleyas a try. They’re sure to captivate you with their elegance and resilience, just as they’ve captivated me.