Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Purple-stained Cattleya, Purple-stained Laelia

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Synonym: Cattleya purpurata var. anelata, Cattleya purpurata var. ardosia var. ardosia, Cattleya purpurata var. atropurpurea, Cattleya purpurata var. atropurpurea × C. self, Cattleya purpurata var. gilbert, Cattleya purpurata var. striata var. schusteriana, Cattleya purpurata var. suavissima, Cattleya purpurata var. tipo, Cattleya purpurata var. werkhauseri × C. purpurata var. schusteriana, Laelia purpurata, Laelia purpurata var. anelata, Laelia purpurata var. flammea, Laelia purpurata var. schusteriana, Laelia purpurata var. schusteriana var. striata, Sophronitis purpurata, Sophronitis purpurata var. anelata

Distribution: SE and S Brazil

Habitat: Heavy forest along small creeks; 0-180m

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): April to July; peaks in May and June

Bloom characteristics: Inflorescence is 8-12" long with 2-5 (rarely 7-8) long-lasting white flowers with a purple lip. Flowers are 6-10" across.

Fragrance: Anise, licorice

Pollination syndrome: Bee (queens of Bombus atratus, female Epicharis sp.)

Foliage characteristics: Unifoliate

Ethnobotanical uses: Stat flower of Santa Caterina, Brazil.

Description: Is it a laelia, or is it a cattleya? Both genera have been thrown around for this orchid nearly since it was first botanically described in the 1800s. At least for now, this white orchid with the purple lip is now a Cattleya purpurata. It is a very popular orchid for cut flowers and hybridizing, with numerous clones and crosses. In the Brazilian state of Santa Caterina, it has even been named the state flower.