Laelia

Epidendreae subtribe Laeliinae. Withner (1990) divides the genus into four subgenera. Subgenus Laelia with two sections includes all eight species from Mesoamerica. Subgenus Crispae with four sections comprises 16 species native to Brazil. Subgenus Microl

Caespitose epiphytes and lithophytes. Pseudobulbs cylindric to ovoid, smooth or prominently ridged. Leaves one to several, terminal, leathery to stiffly rigid. Inflorescences terminal scapose racemes, often long-pedunculate. Flowers showy. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar or with the petals wider with undulate margins. Lip obscurely to distinctly three-lobed, the base usually tubular, the callus of longitudinal keels. Column lightly arching, +/- club-shaped, usually without wings, without foot; pollinia 8, in four pairs with four +/- adhesive caudicles.

Probably derived from Laelia, one of the Vestal Virgins.

A genus of about 70 species ranging from Mexico to Brazil. The genus is treated here in a broad sense in keeping with traditional horticultural usage. However, recent molecular work indicates that South American species of Laelia may not be closely relate

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