Cattleya maxima is one of the oldest described species of Cattleya . Lindley described C. maxima in 1831, after describing the first Cattleya , C. labiata , in 1821. Four additional bifoliate Cattleya (each pseudobulb usually produces 2 leaves) were described between these two species. Although it was the second described unifoliate (single-leaf) Cattleya , it was the first species discovered in this genus. Spanish botanists sent the herbarium specimen of C. maxima in 1777, but nothing was done to the specimen for over 50 years. Chadwick and Chadwick (2006) contains the details of the history of the discovery, disappearance, and re-discovery of this beautiful species. You can also read the story in their web site ( link ). Some unifoliate Cattalya are difficult to identify because they look similar. But C. maxima is relatively easy to recognize due to the unique floral feature, the yellow stripe in the middle of the lip. This featu...
Plants, Orchids, and Life in North