Rank Species | Tribe Epidendreae Higher classification Cattleya orchids | |
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Similar Cattleya orchids, Orchids, Cattleya nobilior, Cattleya labiata, Laelia | ||
Orchidweb cattleya walkeriana var perola
Cattleya walkeriana (Walker's Cattleya) is a species of orchid. It differs from most species of Cattleya by having inflorescences which arise from the rhizome instead of from the apex of the pseudobulb. In its native habitat (Brazilian Central Plateau) it grows as either an epiphyte or a lithophyte, sometimes in full sun. Pseudobulbs are relatively short, bulbous or fusiform, with one or two ovate leaves at the apex. Inflorescence is one- or few-flowered, about 8" (20 cm) tall. Flowers are 4-5" (9-12 cm) across.
Genetically C. walkeriana is close to bifoliate Cattleyas. The diploid chromosome number of C. walkeriana has been twice determined as 2n = 40; the diploid chromosome number of the variety C. walkeriana var. princeps L.C.Menzes has been determined as 2n = 80.
