This Brazilian beauty is actually placed incorrectly with the epiphytes, as it is usually to be found growing as a terrestrial. The leaves are large-to about 4 inches in diameter, and as the name implies are kidney shaped. They are held horizontally above the compost on dark red wiry stems which can be 8-10 inches high.
This is the large growing plant that has been in cultivation in the UK since the late seventies. Until recently it was labelled as U. reniformis, but was re-classified (albeit tenuously, if you read the associated literature online) as U. cornigera.
The spectacular flowers are produced with the first leaves in early spring. They are a beautiful lilac colour with two vertical yellow stripes on the palate which are edged in a darker purple. These can be 2-3 inches wide, and are produced two or three at a time on a scape which can be two feet high.
The true U. reniformis is very rare in cultivation, but should be available soon.
