This genus includes 65 species and ever-increasing number of hybrids. It is widespread in the southern part of Central America, the greatest diversity of species in Brazil.

This orchid is difficult for cultivation. Form a large, full color with bright and vivid colors.

Depending on the number of leaves is divided into two major groups. The first includes plants with a leaf (unifoliatni), fewer but larger flowers. The second group consists of orchids with two, three or more sheets (bifoliatni), which has a small, but numerous colors. To be considered a forerunner Cattleya labiata, which is the first orchid grown in England in the "artificial" conditions. In 1818 William Cattley various tropical plants imported from Brazil. He noticed something that looks like part of the plant accidentally fell into the material used for packaging and insulation. Decided to plant a strange finding. It turns out that this is Cattleya labiata, called by some "the queen of orchids"