Cattleya (species unidentified)

Native from Costa Rica through tropical South America and Trinidad, this genus consists of perennial orchids that usually grow on trees or rocks. Thick roots absorb moisture, while swollen stems called pseudobulbs store water and bear leathery leaves. Flowers vary widely in size and color and often have a contrasting lip and fragrance. They are extensively cultivated and hybridized for their showy blooms. One species, Cattleya trianae, is Colombia’s national flower. Photographed in Colombia.