The genus Cattleya Lindl. (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract

Cattleya presents about 120 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. In its current delimitation, Cattleya also encompasses the Brazilian species formerly placed within the genera Laelia and Sophronitis, as well as the species of a number of recently segregated genera. This contribution deals with this genus in Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil, therefore contributing to the knowledge of its orchid flora. This work is based in literature and in the analysis of herbarium vouchers as well as in specimens collected during fieldwork in several localities of Rio Grande do Sul. Five native species were recorded: Cattleya cernua, C. coccinea, C. intermedia, C. purpurata and C. tigrina. All these species dwell within the Atlantic Rain Forest biome. This contribution does present an artificial key for the species, the synonymies, descriptions, illustrations, geographic distribution and comments on habitat and natural history of the species.