cattleya leopoldii

This is a highly poppular species, but very hard to get,as it is not very eager to grow in cultivation. C. leopoldii is closely related to the species C. guttata ,but is distingushed by a smaller build and giant flower racemes that can number no fewer than 20 flowers! The color of the flowers is quitee impressive: the lip is mahogany brown with a tinge if purple and with irregularly distributed red spots. There is even one very interesting and highly valued colorless(apochromatic ) variety , the white lip of which is complemented by the myrtle-green of the other tepals . Cultivation rules are the same as those that apply to other Cattleyas . The species blooms between August and October. Its orginal habitat is in Brazil.