cattleya, CattleyaJoyce R. Wilsonany orchid plant of the genus
Cattleya (family Orchidaceae), comprising about 45 species of
air plants or rock plants that are commercially important as
ornamentals and florists’ plants. They are native to tropical
America and are widely grown in greenhouses and other light,
humid indoor environments. Cattleyas have large pseudo-bulbs
(bulblike stems), 1 or 2 leaves, and 1 to 30 large, brightly
coloured flowers.  Cattleya labiata, one of the most commonly
cultivated species, has been crossed with numerous other orchid
genera to produce thousands of showy hybrids.