Orchid  (Cattleya dowiana)

Scarce and seems threatened (3). Listed on Appendix II of CITES (4).

This exotic orchid has extremely showy and highly fragrant flowers, usually between 5 and 6 on each spike (5). The petals and sepals of this species are large, frilled and bright yellow in colour (5). They also have flecks of crimson at the base and margins; the broad lip-petal is a rich crimson colour with golden veins (2). A number of different varieties with markedly differing colour patterns have been described but are no longer seen. These include a variety known as 'Rosita' which had creamy white sepals and rose-purple petals tinged with yellow (2). It is thought that an increase in cultivation of this species might reveal these varieties again (2).

Found in Costa Rica and Panama in Central America, this orchid is restricted to the Atlantic slopes of the mountains (6).

Associated with moist, lowland tropical forests (6).

This orchid blooms towards the end of summer and early autumn, it requires warmth, moisture and ample light to grow (2).

Cattleya dowiana is highly prized by collectors for its stunning blooms, and wild plants are collected for sale (6). This species is only known from a restricted habitat, which is under increasing threat of destruction (6). Exact population details are unknown, but the species is thought to be scarce and threatened (6).

This plant is difficult to grow in cultivation (6), and it may therefore be necessary for in-situ conservation measures to be established, if this beautiful flower is to survive.