Cattleya purpurata is native to southern Brazil, where it grows as an epiphyte on large trees in coastal forests and occasionally as a lithophyte on rocks near the shoreline. This orchid species typically thrives at elevations below 3,300 feet, in habitats with high humidity, strong air movement, and bright but filtered light. The flowers of Cattleya purpurata are distinguished by their long, narrow, pale petals contrasted with a deeply ruffled lip that ranges from purple to magenta, often with darker veining inside the throat. Flower size can reach up to 8 inches across, making it one of the larger species in the genus. Blooming season occurs in late spring to early summer, producing inflorescences of three to six flowers per stem. Many cultivars exist, bred for variations in lip and petal coloration, and they are commonly displayed in orchid shows worldwide. Photographed in Florida.