Birth flower for January 17
Cattleya walkeriana
Meaning: an elegant lady
Cattleya walkeriana is a compact species with an outsized, sweet fragrance. Unusually, its flowers do not rise from the top of the pseudobulb but from a small separate shoot at the base of the plant. The species honors Edward Walker, who collected it in Brazil in 1839. Its flat, broad petals and spade-shaped purple lip have made it a favorite of breeders, especially in Japan.