From time to time mutations occur with orchids. This C. schroederae presents mutations in the three sepals, keeping the three petals perfect. The dorsal sepal has been transmutated into a petal and the ventral sepals into false labella. They are not true extra lips because only the internal half of the sepals have the characteristics of a lip. No trace of extra columns (in this case I'd agree it would be a monstrosity).
I know that some will call it a monstrosity, or a deformity, but I prefer to think of it as a mutant, and mutation is part of evolution. Pretty or ugly, that's another thing and is up to each one's taste!
This plant came from a compot of C. shroederae I bought a few years ago, being the first seedling to bloom.
The peloric traits may or may not repeat in the next year, but they seem too deep to disapear.
Cattleya schroederae fma. peloric
Linear Mode
