Cattleya nobilior Rchb.f 1883 var amalie Subgen Rhizantha [Cogn.] Withner 1988 Photo courtesy of Wilma Braga

Common Name Noble Cattleya

Flower Size 5" [12.5 cm]

This species is bifoliate and can be distinguished from Cattleya walkeriana by this fact as walkeriana has only one. Found in Matto Grossa State, Brazil as well as Santa Cruz Bolivia along rivers on roughbarked trees at the edges of high cliffs in full sun and with ample air circulation at elevations of 170 to 700 meters. This species is characterized by having ellipsoid pseudobulbs carrying 2 apical, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, coriaceous leaves and blooms on a to 3 1/8" [to 8 cm] long, slender, 1 to few flowered inflorescence with to 5 extremely [vanilla citron] fragrant flowers. This area has a distinct wet and dry period and it is quite hot. A five month drier rest from November through March is reccomended.

The var amaliae pictured above is cooler growing and comes from the Brazilian states of Goias amnd Tocantins at elevations to 900 meters on rough barked trees.

Synonyms Cattleya nobilior var. alba L.C.Menezes 2001 ; Cattleya walkeriana Gardner var nobilior [Rchb.f]Veitch 1887

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchidaceae Brasiliense Pabst & Dungsa 1975; The Catttleya and their Relatives Withner Vol 1 1988; Manual of Orchids Stewart 1995; An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids Pridgeon 1982; Flora's Orchids Nash & La Croix 2005; The Brazilian Bifoliate Cattleya and their Color Variations Fowlie 1977; Orchids of Bolivia Vol 2 Laelinae Vasquez and Ibisch 2004

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