Dow's cattleya
Cattleya dowiana
Cattleya dowiana is a species of orchid. The diploid chromosome number of C.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Yam Melissa Pineda T, all rights reserved, uploaded by Yam Melissa Pineda T
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Cattleya
Dow's cattleya belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Cattleya dowiana is a species of orchid. The diploid chromosome number of C. dowiana has been determined as 2n = 40; the haploid chromosome number has been determined as n = 20.
Dow's cattleya faces significant pressure from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in its native Central American range. Over-collection for the horticultural trade has historically depleted wild populations, while climate change threatens the specific microclimatic conditions this epiphytic orchid requires in its montane forest habitat.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This epiphytic orchid inhabits humid montane forests and cloud forests at elevations between 600-1,500 meters, growing on tree trunks and branches in the canopy. It requires consistent moisture and filtered light conditions typical of Central American highland forests in Costa Rica and Panama.
Threats
Habitat loss and deforestation
Over-collection for horticultural trade
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Climate change affecting montane ecosystems
Fragmentation of forest corridors
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dow's cattleya (Cattleya dowiana). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dows-cattleya