The Cattleya orchid is the genus that resonates in the mind of most     people who do not grow orchids.  It's large showy blooms are frequently used as corsages.  The native habitat of the Cattleya is Central America and the northern half of South America.  Plants usually grow as epiphytes attached to the upper sections of trees which form the jungle canopy.  Contrary to public imagination, successful Cattleya growing is usually more a matter of keeping the plants cool than warm.  They thrive at moderate temperatures that a human would be comfortable in.  The Cattleya is often hybridized with other genera by orchid enthusiasts.  In the pictures below, native (species) Cattleyas have names beginning with "C."  Anything else is an hybrid.  The names of crosses (hydbrids) are explained at the bottom of this page.