Jan 23 2025
Laelia is a small genus of 24 orchids with a center of diversity in Mexico, particularly in Oaxaca state and the Eje Volcanico Transversal. It typically displays large beautiful flowers in shades of red, maroon, pink, purple, or white. Many species of Laelia have thickened pseudobulbs (Greek for "false bulbs") on their stems. These pseudobulbs help to store water and carbohydrates, allowing Laelia to live in dry habitats where water may be scarce for several months at a time. Laelia has been crossbred with other orchid genera such as Cattleya to produce several hybrids that are favored in the horticulture trade.
Literature Cited
Olivares-Juárez, M.I., M. Burgos-Hernández, and M. Santiago-Alvarádo. 2022. Patterns of Species Richness and Distribution of the Genus Laelia s.l. vs. Laelia s.s. (Laeliinae: Epidendroideae: Orchidaceae) in Mexico: Taxonomic Contribution and Conservation Implications. Plants 11: 2742. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202742