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Ruby Lipped Cattleya
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Ruby Lipped Cattleya

Cattleya labiata

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameRuby Lipped Cattleya
DescriptionSpectacular orchid known as Queen of Orchids with large fragrant blooms and distinctive ruby-red frilled lip. Flowers in shades of pink, purple, lavender, or white with dramatic crimson lip. Classic corsage orchid popular for special occasions. Native to Brazilian rainforests, grows as epiphyte on trees. Easier to grow than many orchids - good for beginners. Blooms last 2-4 weeks, intensely fragrant.
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusCattleya
TribeEpidendreae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ⚥ P3+3 A1 G(3)

Ebracteate, zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry), bisexual, perianth of 6 tepals in 2 whorls (3 sepals + 3 petals, one petal modified as lip/labellum), 1 stamen fused with style forming column, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Resupinate (lip at bottom). Typical of Orchidaceae

Features
  • Named after William Cattley, British horticulturist who first bloomed it in 1824. 'Labiata' means lipped in Latin. About 113 Cattleya species. Called Queen of Orchids for spectacular blooms. National flower of Brazil (C. labiata). Used in corsages since Victorian era. Hybridizes easily - thousands of hybrids
  • Flowers 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) across, among largest orchids. 3 sepals, 2 petals, 1 distinctive frilled lip (labellum). Lip ruby-red to crimson with yellow throat, deeply ruffled edges. Petals/sepals pink, purple, lavender, or white. Intensely fragrant, especially in morning. Blooms fall-winter (September-February). Each spike has 2-5 flowers lasting 2-4 weeks
  • Epiphytic orchid (grows on trees, not in soil). Sympodial growth - new growths from rhizome. Pseudobulbs (swollen stems) store water and nutrients, 4-8 inches tall. 1-2 thick leathery leaves per pseudobulb, 6-10 inches long. Aerial roots absorb moisture and nutrients. Evergreen
  • Grows 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall including flower spike. Spread 12-18 inches. Lifespan 20-30+ years with proper care. Propagated by division (separate pseudobulbs with 3-4 growths each). Blooms when mature (3-4 years from division). Divide every 3-4 years or when pot-bound
  • Native to northeastern Brazil, particularly Atlantic rainforest. Grows as epiphyte on trees at 1,000-4,000 feet elevation. Also found in Venezuela, Colombia. Now cultivated worldwide. Thrives in warm, humid tropical and subtropical climates. Endangered in wild due to over-collection
  • Requires bright indirect light (2,000-3,000 foot-candles) - east or west window. Needs warm days (70-85°F), cool nights (55-65°F) - temperature drop triggers blooming. High humidity (50-70%). Water when potting mix nearly dry. Grow in orchid bark, not soil. Fertilize weakly weekly. Hardy zones 10-12, houseplant elsewhere
  • Classic corsage orchid for weddings, proms, Mother's Day. Long-lasting cut flower (2-4 weeks). Popular collector's orchid. Attracts orchid enthusiasts. Fragrance strongest in morning. Symbolizes luxury, beauty, refinement. Used in perfumes. Relatively easy orchid for beginners
  • Repot every 2-3 years in spring after blooming. Use orchid bark mix. Provide good air circulation. Mist daily or use humidity tray. Rest period after blooming - reduce water, no fertilizer for 6-8 weeks. Resume care when new growth appears. Stake flower spikes. Remove spent blooms

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCattleya labiata
English (Alternate)Crimson Cattleya, Red Cattleya
Hindiलाल कैटलेया (Lal Cattleya), सिंदूरी कैटलेया (Sinduri Cattleya)
Tamilமந்தாரை (Mandharai)
Teluguఆర్చిడ్ (Archid), కాట్లేయా ఆర్చిడ్ పూవు (Cattleya archid puvu)
Malayalamകാറ്റില്യ ലബിയേറ (Kattilya labiyaera)
Kannadaಕೆಂಪು ತುಟಿ ಕ್ಯಾಟ್ಲಿಯಾ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (Kempu tuṭi kyāṭliyā ārkiḍ)
Sanskritरक्तोष्ठ वनराजि पुष्पम् (Raktoshtha Vanaraji Pushpam)
Bengaliঅর্কিড (Orkid)
FrenchCattleya labiata
RussianКаттлея губастая (Kattleya gubastaya)
SpanishCattleya or la orquídea Cattleya
GermanRubinlippen-Cattleya, Cattleya labiata

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.