This wonderful species from Central America is a large growing member of the cattleya family that produces long spikes of dramatic flowers. These are butterfly pollinated with the pink section of the lip the perfect shape for a large butterfly to grab a hold.

We have seen this species in tall remnant trees on cloudy ridges at around 1500m altitude in Costa Rica.

We have had this plant since 1995 and it has become a huge specimen in Cool Americas but it is time we split it up so look out for plants next year.