Cattleya walkeriana and nobilior -- down the rabbit hole

[Leafmite]

I think that DNA testing will be the only way that one can be absolutely positive whether an orchid 'species' is truly a species when there is some doubt. Our orchid society just had Tim Culbertson speak about Laelia anceps (Zoom) and, from all the pictures he showed, it is quite amazing to see how different the jungle collected versions are from the others, as well as all the differences in the variations. With mutations (i.e. 4n Mendenhall) and selective breeding, a Cattleya can really change from the original version. With all the changes brought about in hybridization (including the loss of fragrance that was once needed to attract pollinators), and so many Cattleyas already closely related, one needs to wonder where to draw the line in determining an orchid to still represent the species.