Laelia/Cattleya lobata tipo and alba

[euplusia]

When L. purpurata is "La Reina" (the queen) and National flower of Brazil, then L. lobata deserves to be called the royal princess. Flowers look similar, but there is a major difference in their natural habitat.
L. lobata is restricted to the city area of Rio de Janeiro (and Niteroi). It grows very exposed in full sun on the rocks of the "Serra do Mar" or organ mountains, where it still can be found in rock crevices high up in the vertical walls.
To the contrary L. purpurata is found in the "Mato Atlantico", the forest stretching along the Atlantic coast from south of Rio to the state of Santa Catarina. L.purpurata grows on thick branches of old trees.
Laelia lobata has among orchidists a reputation of beeing a shy bloomer, because in nordic countries it is often difficult to provide the needed high light levels. It emits a spicy scent. Recent DNA-analysises convinced scientists to rename this group of Brazilian Laelias as Cattleya.