Cattleya-Epicattleya Relationship
 

Is one a subgenus of the other, or what is the correct hierarchical relationship?

I'm not an expert, so feel free to correct me anyone, but as my knowledge goes, Epicattleyas are a hybrid resulting in crossing a Cattleya with and epidendrum. They are in the same family, which makes them compatible. Hope that helps! :)

An epicattleya is a man made hybrid. It comes from crossing a cattleya with an epidendrum.

Still new at this, should have known, actually stumbled onto the answer in the awesome compilation of genera/species of the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.

So despite the order of names in the genus, I take it that the "real" name is Cattleya x Epidendrum, in that order.

Thanks both of you, and happy New Year.

Epicattleya = either Cattleya x Epidendrum OR Epidendrum x Cattleya. In fact, many of what you find commonly called Epicattleya is likely to be a Catlyclia, Cattleya x Encyclia. This is because many were created before the genus Encyclia was split off from Epidendrum a number of years ago. Even more confusing, most who have been growing orchids more than 15-20 years will use the shorthand "Epicatt" to describe any hybrid of a Cattleya-type hybrid (or Cattleya species) and an Encyclia/Epidendrum.