''Laelia'' is a small genus of 25 species in the orchid family ( Orchidaceae). ''Laelia'' species are found in areas of subtropical or temperate climate in

Central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...

and South America, but mostly in Mexico. ''Laelia'' is abbreviated ''L.'' in the horticultural trade.

Description

Mostly

epiphyte An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

herbs (with a few lithophytes) with laterally compressed pseudobulbs. One to four leathery or fleshy

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are born near the top of each pseudobulb, and can be broadly ovate to oblong. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme (rarely a panicle). The flowers have 8 pollinia; petals are of a thinner texture than the sepals; sepals and petals are of similar shape, but the sepals being narrower; the lip or labellum is free from the arched flower

column A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...

Distribution

Species of ''Laelia'' can be found from western Mexico south to

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, from sea level to mountain forests.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Laelia'' was described as part of subfamily Epidendroideae by

John Lindley John Lindley FRS (5 February 1799 – 1 November 1865) was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist. Early years Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley w ...

. Brazilian ''Laelias'', after being classified for several years under '' Sophronitis'', have now been placed in the genus '' Cattleya''. Moreover, species formerly placed in the genus ''

Schomburgkia ''Schomburgkia'' was a genus of plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae. This genus was named for Richard Schomburgk, a German botanist who explored British Guiana during the 19th century. Former species of this genus were either epiphytic ...

'' have been moved either to the genus ''Laelia'' or ''

Myrmecophila ''Myrmecophila'' is a genus of plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae. It is native to southern Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and Venezuela. Species in this genus are either Epiphyte, epiphytic or Lithophyte, lithophytic in their ...

''.

Species

''Laelia'' comprises the following species:

Ecology

Species in this genus are found in forests from sea level to mountain habitats above 2000 m. Species from above 2000 m of elevation like ''L. albida'', and ''L. autumnalis'' are adapted to temperate climates and can be grown outdoors in places like the Mexican Plateau, California and other subtropical areas with cool summers. ''Laelia'' is one of the orchid genera known to use crassulacean acid metabolism photosynthesis, which reduces evapotranspiration during daylight because carbon dioxide is collected at night.

Cultivation

Laelias can be grown fastened to tree trunks, as long as the tree won't cast a deep shadow; they can also be fastened to a piece of branch or a slab of cork so they can be hung in a place facing south. The growing medium must have good drainage, rapidly drying after watering; pieces of pine bark, charcoal or pebbles are good choices. If grown mounted they definitely need approximately 50–70% humidity, while cooler temperatures increase the blooming process. Watering can be done 2–3 times a week, but with lower frequency in winter. Fertilization can be done with a very dilute solution, twice a month especially during growing season (May to November in Northern Hemisphere).

Nothogenera

Hybrids of ''Laelia'' with other orchid genera are placed in the following nothogenera (this list is incomplete): * × ''Laeliocattleya'' (''Lc.'') = '' Cattleya'' × ''Laelia'' * × ''Laeliocatonia'' (''Lctna.'') = '' Broughtonia'' × '' Cattleya'' × ''Laelia'' * × ''Laeliocatarthron'' (''Lcr.'') = '' Cattleya'' × '' Caularthron'' × ''Laelia'' * × ''Sophrolaelia'' (''Sl.'') = ''Laelia'' × '' Sophronitis'' ''

Rhyncholaelia ''Rhyncholaelia'', abbreviated ''Rl.'' in the horticultural trade, is a genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae), comprising two species. They are distributed in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. Both species were originally published in '' ...

'' is a distinct genus rather than a nothogenus.

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q133101 Epiphytic orchids Laeliinae genera