C. amethystoglossa - diploid vs. polyploid
 

I made a video last year (here: https://youtu.be/s0yAvFtkTBA) comparing diploid (2N) and polyploid (3N in this case) Cattleya amethystoglossas. Both plants are blooming together again this year so I figured I'd take some comparison photos that really show the difference in size between the two flowers. Check it out!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...799c4f7_4k.jpgCattleya amethystoglossa - diploid vs. polyploid by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4f9ac5e_4k.jpgCattleya amethystoglossa - diploid vs. polyploid by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0c1b59b_4k.jpgCattleya amethystoglossa - diploid vs. polyploid by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f0df754_4k.jpgCattleya amethystoglossa - diploid vs. polyploid by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Great example!

One at first disconcerting thing about watching field botanists is seeing them take lots of photos of a plant, then rip the flowers apart to measure the parts.

That is a substantial difference between the diploid and triploid forms. Thanks for the dissection and comparison - it's very clear to understand.

and of course, both beautiful blooms!