| Regno | Plantae |
| Sottoregno | Tracheobionta |
| Superdivisione | Spermatophyta |
| Divisione | Magnoliophyta |
| Classe | Liliopsida |
| Ordine | Asparagales |
| Famiglia | Orchidaceae |
| Sottofamiglia | Epidendroideae |
| Genere | Zygopetalum |
| Specie | Zygopetalum mackayi |
Zygopetalum mackayi is the best-known species, bearing tall spikes of waxy flowers with green sepals and petals blotched chestnut-brown and a broad white lip veined violet. Intensely hyacinth-scented and easy to grow intermediate, it is a foundation of Zygopetalum hybrids.