Sophronitis

Sophronitis is native to South America.  Like the other orchids we love, these beautiful plants are compact, produce disproportionately large, very bright, flat-faced flowers, and are beloved in Asia.

While many members of the Cattleya Alliance enjoy the heat, Sophronitis generally does not.  Most are from the high elevation cloud forests of South America which are bright, damp, and chilly.  If you have consistently warm conditions, this is not the genus for you, but you should consider Soph hybrids or Soph. cernua which is happy to be warm.