cattleya aclandiae

This orchid holds a unique position among its relatives -it is the smallest of them all. That does not deminish its beauty ,rather the oppoite . The pseudobulbs are narrow , bearing 1-3 extended, oval leaves , and reach up to 6 in /15 cm in length. In sharp contrast to their size are the guady-colored flowers that canbe as large as 4 in/ 10 cm in diameater. Each flower is crowned by apurple lip . The other tepals are green and yellow,spangled with large russet spots. Its proportions make Cattleya aclandiae a sought -after rarity with orchid growers ; however it is the most difficult to cultivate of all the Cattleya botanical species. It blooms between summer and fall, and is native to Bahia, Brazil.