Cattleya mossiae- Venezuela National Flower

Today we are celebrating the Cattleya Mossiae Day as Venezuela National Flower, since May 23, 1951

In 1949, September 19, by decision from the Ministeries of Education and Agriculture and a Jury, was declared the Cattleya mossiae as 'National Flower of Venezuela' for its exceptional conditions. This decision was not accepted by the government until two years later, on May 23, 1951, when the Cattleya mossiae was declared to be the National Flower.

The proclamation ceremony was took place in the reception rooms of the Venezuelan Society of Natural Sciences (SVCN), on May, 1951.

This species is found only in Venezuela. It grows in the mountainous areas of the central northern region of the country, along the Cordillera de La Costa (Coastal Mountain Range), from Puerto Cabello to Cabo Codera, in the states of Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, Guarico and Capital District. Also along the Serrania del Interior parallel to Cordillera de La Costa.

The whole of these regions is located between parallels 9 and 11 of north latitude, and 66 and 70 of west longitude.

This orchid generally lives between 800 and 1,500 meters above sea level, in rather humid mountainous areas, which provide a moderate temperate climate for them. However it does not demand a specific habitat, since it adapts easily to a variety of conditions and grows with no difficulty in a wild state as well as in cultivation.

C. mossiae is almost always epiphyte, and it is rarely found as litophyte, growing on rocks.

C. mossiae blooms from the week before Easter to the month of May and people associate them with these dates calling them 'Flor de Mayo' (May Flower) or 'Mayito' (Little May), a very appropiate nickname, mostly for the ones of the Avila Mountain, which bloom from the begining to the end of May

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Source of the text:

Monography of the VENEZUELAN CATTLEYAS and its varieties

by Carlo Aulisi A.-Ernesto Foldats

Marzo 2, 1990

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Enjoy some pictures of Cattleya mossiae plants original from the wild!

Cattleya mossiae 'Canoabo'

Cattleya mossiae 'Vigirima'

Cattleya mossiae semi alba 'Aurora'

Cattleya mossiae alba 'Mercedes Urbano'