A robust plant that needs no staking, though a challenge for me as it is a warm-grower from coastal regions of Brazil. It spends the coldest part of the winter in the bathroom! The color is quite variable and varies from ivory green with just a few maroon markings to this solid burgundy. It is pleasantly scented, but the best scent is obtained when it is crossed with C.aclandiae. I am dying to make this cross but I have never had the plants in flower at the same time. Some authorities consider it a variety of Cattleya guttata, C.guttata var.leopoldii.