Cattleyopsis lindenii (LdI) Cong, UNA ORQUÍDEA NATIVA DE CUBA.

Cuba has many endemic plants, but this is not a common occurrence with orchids. Cattleyopsis is an Antillean genus with few species and xerophytic characteristics. They are found on the Guanacababibes Peninsula and Organ mountains en Pinar del Rio province and the region of Baracoa, more to the west of the island. They are also found in the low altitude, coastal scrub forest. It is common to find them growing with Encyclia phoenicia at a height of 2 m or less. Cattleyopsis linden ii has sympodial growth, without pseudobulbs. The 6 to 9 flowers are purple to pink, produced on 50-51 cm peduncles. The lamina averages 4.7 cm and the petals and sepals 3.5 cm, with a width of 0.5 cm. The flowers open to the form of a bell. Pollination is open resulting in 30% fertilization and the formation of 1.5 cm capsules. Flowering occurs from April to June. Adult plants have 30 leaves with a length and width of 9.5 and 1.2 cm, respectively. The stomates are oriented in lines lengthwise on the leaves, contrary to most monocots. The roots are 0.5 cm thick with a length of 25 cm. The species is difficult to propagate due to root diseases. Propagation by tissue culture was successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]