The Remarkable Bifoliate Cattleyas of Brazil

Except for a half dozen species found in Mexico and Central America, all the bifoliate Cattleyas are natives of Brazil. Below are some of these remarkable bifoliate Catlleya flowers

Lady Ackland's Cattleya

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The Lady Ackland's Cattleya (Cattleya aclandiae) named in honor of Lady Lydia Elizabeth Acland who was the first European to grow the plant successfully. A dwarf growing Cattleya found growing on tree limbs and trunks in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The plant only grows 7-12 cm (3-5 in) tall. Its pair of fleshy leaves measures from two to three inches in length. Sometimes, purple blotches are found on the leaves when the plants are exposed to intense sunlight. The fragrant, long lasting flower is covered in dark red spots and a large frilly bright pink and purple lip white or near-white with purple blotches and spots. Flowers bloom in the spring and summer on new growths.

Amethyst-lipped Cattleya

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The Amethyst-lipped Cattleya (Cattleya amethystoglossa) is a bifoliate Cattleya species native to Brazil in the states of Bahia and possibly Espirito Santo. The plant grows on palm tree trunks, large tree branches, and rock formations in the canopy of evergreen trees. The stems are cylindrical, 0.9144 meters (3 feet) or more high, bearing two leaves measuring 10.16 - 20.32 cm (4 - 8 in) long. The leaves have lovely random maroon spots. The sweetly fragrant flowers are about 7.62 - 10.16 cm (3 -4 in) in diameter in rose pink with darker pink spots.

Bicolored Cattleya

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The Bicolored Cattleya (Cattleya bicolor) is found growing in the Brazilian states of Distrito Federal, Goias, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The slender, cylindrical flower stems are from 45.72 - 76.2 cm (18 - 30 in) bearing two oblong leaves about 15.24 cm (6 in) long. The very fragrant flower is mahogany-brown with purple overtones about 10 cm (4 in) across. The wedge-shaped lip is rosy pink or magenta in color. The flower spike can have three to seven flowers.

Noble Cattleya

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The Noble Cattleya (Cattleya nobilior) is found growing on trees in gallery forests along rivers or on high cliffs in coastal Brazil. The flower spike produces one to three flowers. The flowers are rose lavender in color and have a very distinctive lip with yellow diamond-shaped markings. The Cattleya nobilior is an unusual species worth collecting. There is a coerulea ("blue") form and an alba (white) form available.

Spotted Cattleya

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The Spotted Cattleya (Cattleya guttata) is one of the older members of the of Brazilian Cattleyas. The species is commonly found growing in the swampy forests behind sand dunes near coastal beaches. There are numerous forms and varieties, some of which have been treated as separate species. The long, cylindrical flower stem measures from 50.8 - 76.2 cm (20 - 30 in) tall, topped by two spreading, elliptic-oblong leaves from 15.4 - 22.68 cm) (6 - 9 in) long. The pseudobulb bears five or more fleshy flowers, each 7.62 - 10.16 cm (3 - 4 in) across. The flower color varies from greenish-yellow to brown and has brown spotting on the segments. The lip is always lavender with white to lavender side lobes. Flower Size 5 to 10 cm (2 - 4 in).

Dorman's Cattleya

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The Dorman's Cattleya (Cattleya dormaniana) is found in humid, cloud-shrouded Organ Mountains in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. This small growing bifoliate Cattleya is a rare species not seen in cultivation at the present time. The slender, cane-like pseudobulbs have two narrow leaves on top. The fragrant, richly colored bronze flower is punctuated with a ruby or magenta lip. Flower Size: 8 cm (3 inch).

Elongated Cattleya

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The Elongated Cattleya (Cattleya elongata) is another rare species of Cattleya not seen in cultivation at the present time. The species grow in full sun in Chapada da Diamantina in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The narrow pseudobulbs can to 60 cm (2 ft) tall and are topped with two or three, 20 to 60 cm (8 to 24 in) long leaves. The flower spike can grow to as much as 45.72 cm (18 in) making it the tallest of all Cattleyas. Each spike can bear 2 to 10 flowers. The glossy, fragrant flowers are a rich coppery rose red in color. The lip is white at the base with some yellow in the middle part and the mid lobe is a deep rose color. Flower Size: 8 cm (3 1/8 inches).

Forbes' Cattleya

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The Forbes' Cattleya (Cattleya forbesii) found growing on trees, bushes and rocks near streams and the sea coast in the State of de Janeiro. The cylindrical stems are about 30.48 cm (1 ft) having two leathery, oblong leaves. The flower stalk grows between 9 cm to 15 cm (3 - 6 in) long and bears two to five flowers. The flower colors vary from yellow-green to light tan, and sometimes have a pink tint. The short three-lobed lip is usually white with red stripes and a yellow throat.

Granulose Cattleya

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The Granulose Cattleya (Cattleya granulosa) is endemic to Permnambuco, Brazil. The species can reach 60 cm (2 ft) in height. The cylindrical stem is about 2-feet tall, having two leaves on top. The sweetly fragrant flower is very distinctively shaped about 15 cm (6 in) across. The sepals and petals are yellowish olive-green, with scattered spots of red. The long lip has a creamy background with an orange-yellow base that extends out to crimson purple on the front lobe.

Harrison's Cattleya

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The Harrison's Cattleya (Cattleya harrisoniana)is endemic to the coastal plains of the States of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo. The species grows on rocks and trees in swampy forests located behind coastal sand dunes. The flowering stem is about 10 cm (4 in) long topped with two leaves. The waxy, fragrant flower measures 11,25 cm (4.5 in) across. The flower colors vary from deep lilac to rose-purple

Schofeld's Cattleya

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The Schofeld's Cattleya (Cattleya schofieldiana) grows on trees or rocky slope faces. The species can reach 1 meter (39 inches) in height. The flower stem can bear two to five flowers. The fragrant flower is in rust and burgundy tones in color with dense maroon spotting on the petals and sepals. The purple or magenta lip has a white or pinkish frilly edge. Flowers can reach up to 10 cm (4 in) across.

Walker's Cattleya

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The Walker's Cattleya (Cattleya walkeriana) is found in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Goias, Sao Paulo and Matto Grosso. The short, spindle-shaped flower stem is topped with two (occasionally one) leaves measuring 7.62 - 12.7 cm (3 - 5 in) long. Flowers are about 11.43 cm (4.5 in) across, ranging in color from bright rose-purple to pale pink-lilac. Lip coloration is the same or slightly darker than the petal color. The lip's lateral lobes are yellow, and most of the middle lobe is deep yellows.

10 Rare Exotic Impatiens Flowers

While some impatiens plants are so common that they are regarded as weeds, a few are so uncommon that you wish to have them in your garden. Read on and have a glimpse of their stunning beauty.

Impatiens are members of the Balsaminaceae or balsam family. There are up to 1,000 species of these flowering plants widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and tropics. In different parts of the world they are known as jewelweeds, balsams, touch-me-nots and impatiens.

Impatiens arguta

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Look at this gorgeous little flower. The bloom is adorned with widely-spaced, large, tubular blue-lavender flowers resembling a 'tiny floating purple parrot'. The 2.5 inch truly exotic blooms flare open like an orchid and have orange markings inside. The flower blooms from late spring through fall. Impatiens arguta, also known as Blue Dream or East Himalayan Balsam, are rare and exotic wildflowers found in the mountains of Nepal, Tibet, and western China.

Impatiens kilimanjari

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Just how rare and exotic is Impatiens kilimanjari? It is found nowhere else in the world except the jungle floor of Kilimanjaro. These playful little creatures measuring about an inch long are a thing to delight with its sea horse-like looks and vibrant pinkish-red colors with curved yellow to orange tails. Inside the hood are a series of yellow and red markings. The plant blooms almost all year long!

Impatiens repens

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Impatiens repens, also known as Ceylon Balsam, Yellow Impatiens or Golden Dragon impatiens, is found in the rainforests of Sri Lanka. This species is exotic in that its yellow flowers with red markings inside and small leaves borne on red stems. The bright red stems cascades down to 4 feet or more that people never guess that this is an Impatiens. The flowers appear throughout much of the year.

Impatiens niamniamensis

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Impatiens niamniamensis, also called Congo cockatoo or parrot impatiens, is native to tropical Africa. Its unusual, colorful bird-shaped flowers definitely get peoples' attention the first time they see it. The distinctive cornucopia-shaped blooms are hooded with long, curled nectar spur making them look like bird beaks. The 3.5 centimeters (1.4 in) bright red and yellow flowers, with lime green hoods that dangle happily from all over the plant makes it nature's more whimsical creations. The exotic blooms appear almost constantly throughout the year!

Impatiens tinctoria

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Impatiens tinctoria is another rare and exotic Impatiens species found in African rain forests. The beautiful orchid-like white blooms with red streaks are big and fragrant, especially in the morning. The red spur on its back reaches up to 5 inches long. Furthermore, its 3 inch wide flowers are probably the largest of all Impatiens species. The butterfly-shaped flowers bloom most months of the year.

Impatiens paucidentata

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Impatiens paucidentata is a rare and exotic flower found in the rain forests of Gabon and Uganda. The the bizarre flowers' 2 inch chili-liked blooms has a deep red body and curved tail, with a creamy-white throat and lime green hood. The colors almost look like wet paint, due to the glossy texture of the blooms.

Impatiens psittacina

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Impatiens psittacina, also known as the "parrot flower" or "parrot balsam" is a rare impatiens species found in Southeast Asia. The species received its common name because its blooms resembled a 'flying cockatoo'. The beautiful flower with hooked spur is light purple and carmine red; and come into bloom in October and November.

Impatiens bequaertii

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Impatiens bequaertii, sometimes called the Dancing Girl Impatiens, is a rare species from the rainforests of East Africa. The white or light-pink blooms have 2 yellow "buttons" on the petals. The bizarre 1/2" long flower resembles a little girl in a skirt with outstretched arms.

Impatiens morsei

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Impatiens morsei or the "Velvet Love" Impatiens is a rare beauty from China, where it only occurs in Guangxi. The gorgeous orchid-shaped blooms white blooms are decorated with bright orange and yellow markings. The unusual, 2-inch blossoms appear practically all year long.

Impatiens namchabarwensis

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Impatiens namchabarwensis or "Blue Diamond Impatiens" is a new species discovered in the Namcha Barwa canyon in Tibet in 2003. Flowers are bright sapphire blue, with small white markings at the center and yellow in the throat. The flowers resemble elegant cranes in flight. This is an extremely rare beauty that happens to be easy to grow!

The World’s Loveliest Multi-colored Flowers

Are you searching for plant species that bloom multi-colored flowers to grow in a pot or in your garden? Whatever the color of the plant’s flower, it is always beautiful, but garden plants that bear multi-colored flowers look even more beautiful and attractive.

Here are some of the most beautiful and attractive garden plants that bloom multicolored flowers.

Pansies

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Pansies are widely grown as garden flowers. It is also commonly known as Viola Tricolor Hortensis. The plant bears beautiful colored flowers, which are also considered edible. Pansies are among the prettiest flowers that come in different colors. Pansies are the perfect choice for your garden to make it look livelier and flamboyant.

Burrageara

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Burrageara, also known as Burr in the horticultural trade, is a captivating plant with beautiful flowers consists of different colors. This orchid is regarded as one of the easiest orchid species to maintain and their flowers are exceptionally beautiful. It can be an indoor plant place, perfect in one's living room.

Baboon Flower

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Baboon Flowers (Babiana stricta) is a plant species native to Cape Province in South Africa. It bears lovely and fragrant flowers in different colors. It is the most popular Babiana species which are commonly used as an ornamental plant.

Chinese Ground Orchid

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Another orchid species that bears lovely flowers in different colors is the Chinese Ground Orchid (Bletilla ochracea). This species of orchid can be found in South Asia and in Western Africa. This plant is not just for your garden, it is also used by African healers in treating “vampirism disease”.

Sweet William

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Sweet William flowers (Dianthus barbatus) is among the most brightly-colored and attractive flowers that come in different shades of colors that you can plant in your garden. They are not just beautiful; they are also sweet and can be eaten. Sweet William is native to Europe and Asia.

Brassolaeliocattleya

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Brassolaeliocattleya is a species of orchid that blooms beautiful multi-colored flowers such as white, yellow and purple.