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Laelia (meaning uncertain). Orchidaceae. A useful and attractive group of orchids, mostly with large, showy flowers borne singly or in two- to
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many-flowered racemes, which arise from the top of one- to two- leaved pseudobulbs. The plants greatly resemble cattleyas and differ only by the
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presence of eight perfect pollen masses instead of four.
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Leaves oblong, coriaceous or fleshy, not plicate: pseudobulbs terminating the annual growth, ovate, clavate, fusiform or st.-like, long or short,
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consisting of 1 to several thickened internodes, or of slender and quill-like form with merely a small bulbous swelling at base, sheathed with scales and
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bearing 1 or 2 lvs. at the summit: sepals subequal, free, spreading; petals wider and sometimes longer, spreading; all usually plane; labellum free from
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the base of the column, more or less distinctly 3-lobed, the lateral lobes short, erect, folding over the column; middle lobe long, expanded,
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lanceolate-ovate, etc.; column concave in front, and thus narrowly 2-winged on the edges; pollinia 8, 4 in each locule; scape terminal, long or short,
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bracted.— About 30 species, dispersed in the maritime provinces of Mex. and Guatemala and in S. Brazil. No species is common to the two widely
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separated regions. A single species, L. monophylla, inhabits the mountains of Jamaica. In their native homes the plants are often found clinging to
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bare rocks and trees, where they are exposed to the full force of the tropical sun, and, in the wet season, to daily drenching rains. Some of the species
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grow at great altitudes. Thus, L. autumnalis var. furfuracea, is always found in alpine regions at elevations of 7,500-8,500 ft. For a list ot cult, kinds,
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see R. A. Rolfe, G.C. III. 7:107, 256, 333, 355; 8:241, 652.
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Laelia may be conveniently divided into groups, as follows:
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Group I (species 1-10).—Pseudobulbs rounded, pyriform or ovate. The plants of this section are medium- sized, with the pseudobulbs terminating each
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year's growth, sessile at intervals on the rhizome, and sheathed at least at first with bract-lvs. The scape, except in L. grandiflora, is long and slender,
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erect, nodding or sub- horizontal, and bears at its end 1 or 2 fls. (L. anceps), or a raceme of 2-7 fls. (L. albida). L. grandiflora, placed here on account
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of its thickened pseudobulbs, bears greater resemblance to the members of the next group.
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Group II (species 11-13).—Pseudobulbs short-cylindrical, st.-like, or swollen-jointed, i. e., consisting of several internodes and sheathed with bracts.
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These plants are of dwarf habit, bearing 1-2 very large fls. on short scapes, so that the top of the fl. scarcely exceeds the lvs., which are oblong, about
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6 in. long, and leathery.
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Group III (species 14-23).—Pseudobulbs long- oblong, fusiform or clavate, tapering below to a sheathed and jointed stalk. This group contains the
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largest and most showy laelias. The pseudobulbous sts. are tall and tufted, a foot or more in length, forming robust, compact, almost bushy plants. The
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flowering sts. of L. superbiens are said to attain a height of 12 ft. The racemes bear 3-7 large, handsome fls.
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Group IV (species 24-26).—Pseudobulbs slender, reed-like and tufted. clothed with scales and often somewhat swollen at base. This group includes a
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few species which are very distinct on account of their bright scarlet or orange-colored fls. and slender, reed-like pseudobulbs. L. monophylla is
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perhaps the smallest of all laelias, being scarcely over 6 in. high, with pseudobulbs about as thick as a crow-quill. One variety of L, cinnabarina has
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purple fls.
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Cultivation of laelias. (E. O. Orpet.)
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These orchids have ever held an important place in gardens, and were it not for the trifling generic distinction of having double the number of
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pollen-masses of the cattleya, they would have been known as a part of the last named, the ease with which both have been hybridized even from the
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beginning proving the close affinity; and one authority at least is willing to merge the two, were it not for the mixing up it would cause in garden
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nomenclature. The Brazilian species, L. purpurata and L. crispa, are strikingly beautiful, easy of culture, and are long-lived in gardens. These were
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the first to be used by the hybridist, and the multiple crosses made since, with the later addition of L. tenebrosa, show evidence of the gorgeous
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coloring of the labellum due to the laelia parentage.
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It has always been the impression that the Brazilian laelias require very much warmth to enable them to grow  well. This has been proved to be an
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error, as stronger growth is made in an intermediate temperature. The plants get an absolute rest in winter, flower better and grow stronger when kept
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at a temperature of about 50° in winter.
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The Mexican kinds that mostly flower in midwinter, such as L. anceps and its white forms, will do equally well in a similar house, but are best grown
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outdoors in summer in the partial shade of overhanging trees, giving a spraying of water overhead at evening of each hot day. This has been found to
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be the only way to get the white forms to bloom freely, as they need special treatment and thorough ripening to secure good results. Removal indoors
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should take place before frost; cool nights seem to invigorate them, but while they experience slight frosts in Mexican uplands, it is harmful here.
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These laelias make an abundance of roots, and the plants should be kept off the ground to avoid the danger of slugs. If these gain access, soak the
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pots or baskets in water for an hour and the slugs will appear and can be caught.
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The repotting of laelias must be done in early spring, or just before the appearance of the new bunches of roots at the base of the growths.
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Native-born species have a regular way of living, but the hybrids have a go-as-you-please habit, due perhaps to their mixed origin, that makes the
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repotting an operation that lasts throughout the year. Flowers are produced at all seasons, while, with introduced plants, their blooming is as fixed as
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the days of the year. This makes it hard to make a rule when to repot or separate plants; but, should the roots begin to get outside the receptacle, it is
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wise to give the plants more space. Good firm osmundine is the best material, as these are strictly epiphytal plants. Imported specimens are received
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with mats of dwarf polypodium attached, and these often grow with the plants in cultivation, giving a clue to the best way to treat them afterward. The
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other Mexican species, L. Gouldiana, L. autumnalis and L. albida, are not so durable in gardens as some others. They are most valuable
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midwinter-flowering orchids; they need similar culture as that given to L. anceps, but have to be replaced by new specimens after a few years, as they
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are not permanent.
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There are many pretty dwarf-growing species, L. praestans, L. Dayana, L. pumila, L. grandiflora, L. Jongheana and others, that require extra care to
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keep them in health, and this care is largely in the matter of moisture. The plants are small, need shallow pans and to be suspended close to the roof
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glass where they dry out speedily, and unless moisture is given regularly, the health of the plants soon weakens. The drying out is desirable, for the
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plants experience this on rocks or trees in their native habitat, but there they have the benefit of the night dews that amount to a shower of moisture;
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this is easily imitated by spraying over the plants each dry evening. The roots will take this up during the night, and be fortified for the succeeding
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day. If one examines the aerial roots of L. anceps, they will be found to be in segments, some longer than others, the longer ones being those formed
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on a dull or wet day when evaporation was slower and the tender- growing tips could grow longer. This is suggestive in a cultural way.
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The following names must be sought under Laeliocattleya: L. amanda, Brysiana, Dominiana, Dormaniana, elegans, ezoniensis, Nyleptha, prasiata,
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Schilleriana, Turneri.
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Laelia flava (L. caulescens). Lvs. 3-5 in. long, oblong-lanceolate, acute, very thick and stiff: scape 1 ft., erect, bearing 4-8 bright yellow fls. 2-2 1/2 in.
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diam.; sepals and petals spreading, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse or subacute; labellum not longer than the petals; middle lobe recurved, crisped and
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undulate, having 4 elevated ridges running down the center; lateral lobes obtuse. Autumn. Brazil. B.R. 28:62.
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Laelia grandiflora (L. majalis). Lvs. solitary, oblong, coriaceous, 6-7 in. long: fls. solitary, rarely 2, on a short peduncle, scarcely equaling the lvs., 5-8
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in. across, showy, rose-lilac; sepals lanceolate, plane; petals oblong, acute, shorter and much broader than the sepals; middle lobe of the labellum
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large, expanded, emarginate, center white, shading to lilac at the margin, spotted with dark lilac; side lobes small, white inside, streaked with lilac.
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May, June. Mex.  B.M. 5667.  B.R.  30:30.  P.M. 12:1.  G.C. II. 19:628.—A magnificent orchid.  Var. alba, Reichb. f.  White. A.G. 19:109; 20:371. 
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G.C. III. 40:45.  Var. majus is advertised.
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Laelia albida,  Lvs. lance-linear, acute: scape twice as long as the lvs.; fls. 2 in. across, pure transparent white except a yellow streak down the lip and
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a few crimson dots at its base, sweet-scented; sepals lanceolate, spreading; petals similar but broader, all very acute; labellum 3-lobed; side lobes
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small, erect; middle lobe large, round-ovate, reflexed. All autumn and winter. Oaxaca, Mex.  B.M. 3957.  B.R. 25:54.  Gn. 35:314.—The first
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white-fld. species discovered. Var. sulphurea, Reichb. f. Larger: fls. sulfur-yellow, with a rose-colored border on the middle lobe, and rose spots on the
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inner surface of the side lobes. Var. bella, Hort., ex Williams, not Reichb. f. Fls. larger than the type; sepals and petals creamy white, faintly bordered
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with lilac; lip white, the middle lobe broadly bordered with deep rose and having 3 yellow ridges down the center. Var. rosea, Hort. Fls. rose-colored.
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Var. majus is advertised.
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Laelia autumnalis,  Lvs. oblong-linear, obtuse, coriaceous, 5 in. long: scape 1 1/2 - 2 ft. long, 5-6-fld., with sheathing scales; fls. showy, fragrant; sepals
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lanceolate- acuminate; petals oblong-lanceolate, undulate; lateral lobes of the labellum large, erect, rotund-truncate, whitish; middle lobe obovate,
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obtuse, apiculate, recurved, deep purple; disk with 2 narrow yellow lamellae. In color and general appearance much like L. anceps, but the segms.
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lack the green ribs. Autumn. Mex. B.M. 3817.  B.R. 25:27.  I.H. 1:17.  P.M. 6:121.  G.C. 1872:1009.—Grows on bare rocks and stunted trees in most
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exposed situations, often at great altitudes. Less valuable than L. anceps. Var. furfuracea, Rolfe (L. furfuracea).  This seems to be a dwarf alpine
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form, with the ovary more scurfy and the petals unusually broad. It is always found at great elevations, occurring frequently at 7,500-8,500 ft.
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Intermediate forms exist.  B.M. 3810.  B.R. 25:26.  Var. atrorubens, Backh. Pseudobulbs short: fls. large, deep rose or magenta, darker toward the
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ends of the segms, and the labellum; base of the labellum and lateral lobes white. Gn. 17:368. Var. venusta, Hort. Goldring. In habit resembles var.
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atrorubens: stalk 2-3 ft.: fls. large, rosy mauve. Gn. 25:366. Var. Fournieri, Andre.  Fls. about 6-7 in. across; sepals revolute at the summit,
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purple-red; petals rhomboid,  of the same color, all paler toward the base; labellum white, with the middle lobe colored like the segms. Larger than
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var. atrorubens.  R.H. 1896:548. Var. alba, Hort. Fls. pure white.
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Laelia Arnoldiana, Manda. Pseudobulbs 4-6 in. long, pyriform, deeply furcate, 2-lvd.: lvs. 5-7 in. long, leathery, lanceolate, thick and dark green:
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scape 1-4 ft. long, 3-11-fld.; sepals oblong-lanceolate, pointed; petals broader, ovate, all somewhat reflexed, rose- colored; middle lobe of the labellum
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reflexed, deep rose- purple, paler toward the center: throat with 2 yellow keels, spotted purple; lateral lobes straight, pale rose or white.—A species
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closely related to L. autumnalis, from which it differs in having bulbs growing erect and rigid lvs. and in the absence of the fetid odor of L. autumnalis.
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(W. A. Manda.) Mex. A.F. 5:303. Var. Forstermannii, Hort. Identical with the type, but has pure white fls., with a tinge of delicate pink on the ends of
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the segms. (W. A. Manda.)
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Laelia Eyermanniana, Reichb. f. (L. autumnalis x L. grandiflora, Reichb. L. autumnalis x L. albida, Rolfe). Natural hybrid. Pseudobulbs like those of
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L. grandiflora: lvs. oblong, acute, very leathery, 6 in. long and 2 in. broad: racemes bearing 3-4 fls. up to 4 in. across (as large as those of L.
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Gouldiana, but smaller than L. autumnalis), rose-purple (white suffused with bright rosy crimson); sepals lance-oblong, acute; petals broadly oblong or
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almost rotund, obtuse; side lobes of the labellum oblong; middle lobe rounded, wavy, white bordered with rose and having 3 yellow keels on the disk
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fading to whitish on the blade. G.C. III. 4:109.
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Laelia Crawshayana,  Natural hybrid. Pseudobulbs and lvs. as in L. albida: scape few (2)-fld., long as in L. anceps, but thinner and with shorter,
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narrower sheaths; sepals and petals narrower than in L. anceps, of a fine amethyst-color; labellum open near the column; side lobes obtuse-angled,
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antrorse, rich purple at the tips; middle lobe cuneate, abruptly blunt, lower half rich purple; throat yellow, veined with purple, 3-keeled. According to
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Reichb., a hybrid between L. anceps(?) and L. autumnalis(?) or L. albida and L. anceps. J.H. III. 30:67; 54:27 (as L. anceps var. Crawshayana). The
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plant there figured is probably the species in question, although, according to the figure and the accompanying description, the sepals and petals are
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wider than those of L. anceps.
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Laelia Gouldiana,  Pseudobulbs ovate, 2-lvd.: lvs. oblong-linear: scape slender, 1-2 ft. long, bearing as many as 6 deep rose-purple fls. resembling
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those of L. anceps; sepals lance-oblong, pointed; petals broader, ovate, acute; middle lobe of the labellum large, deeply colored, throat white and
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veined; side lobes white. Dec., Jan.  Mex.  G.C. III. 7:169.—A useful species, large plants often bearing 5-10 racemes. Perhaps only a variety of L.
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autumnalis.
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Laelia anceps,  Fig. 2056. Pseudobulbs scattered on the rhizome, ovate: lvs. 5-9 in. long, oblong-lanceolate: scape from the top of the pseudobulbs, l
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1/2 -2 ft. long,  clothed with keeled scales and bearing 1-2 very showy, purplish rose-colored fls.; sepals lanceolate- acuminate; petals
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ovate-acuminate, all with a greenish line on the back; labellum inside of the lateral lobes yellow, with red marks; middle lobe oblong, acute, deep
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purple, white on the disk, with a thickened yellow keel terminating in 3 ridges. Mex.  B.M. 3804.  B.R. 1751.  G. C. II. 24:405.  P.M. 4:73.  O.R.
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15:145. —One of the most beautiful species of laelia, possessing many fine varieties. Var. Barkeriana, Lindl. Sepals and petals subequal; middle lobe
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of the labellum rather narrow, acute.  B.R. 1947. F.S. 11:1100. Gn. 25:534.  Var. Dawsonii, J. Anders. Scape 2-3 ft. long, 2-3-fld.; fls. white; interior of
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the labellum marked with radiating purple lines, with the usual yellow ridge. Juquila, Mex. Gn. 25:534. G.C. III. 1:424.  S.H. 2, p. 175. F.M. 1871:530.
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Var. alba, Reichb. f.  Sepals and petals as in var. Dawsonii; fls. pure white, with the disk of the lip pale yellow.  Dec., Jan. G.C. III. 1:485; 15:172. J.H.
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III. 50:179. Var. Hilliana, Reichb. f. Sepals and petals white; front lobe of the labellum bilobed emarginate.  I.H. 33:584.  Gn. 25:534.  G.C. III. 1:425.
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Var. Williamsii, Hort.  Pure white, narrower than in var. Stella,; labellum white, large, with the disk and throat yellow, marked with crimson-purple.
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G.C. III. 1:349. Gn. 25:534. Var. Lageriana, Hort, White, suffused with rose; lip dark lavender, mottlod and streaked purple, the throat yellow,
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purple-veined. Var. Leeana, Reichb. f. Fls. white, smaller than in L. anceps; petals very narrow and very acute; side lobes of the labellum blunt;
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middle lobe small, triangular, wavy, with a thick, well-developed keel; throat yellowish, veined with reddish purple. Var. Schroederiana, Reichb. f. Fls.
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unusually large; sepals, petals and middle lobe of the labellum pure white; side lobes and throat streaked with broad lines of purplish crimson. Gn.
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44:284. G.M. 33:813.  G.C. III. 29:94. Var. Sanderiana, Reichb. f. Fls. white; disk of lip crimson. G.C. III. 1:281; 25:136;43:216. O.R.9:9; 17:frontis.
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Gn.44:284. G.M. 37:88. Var. Veitchiana, Reichb. f. Sepals and petals white; disk of the labellum yellow, veined with brown; lateral lobes and anterior
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part of the middle lobe veined with purple. Gn. 25:534 (as L. Veitchii). Var. Stella, Reichb. f. Fls. pure white; labellum with yellow throat, marked with
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light crimson lines. G.C. III.1:280 and 8:500. Var. Amesiana, O'Brien. Sepals and petals broad, feather-veined with mauve; labellum white; middle
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lobe crimson-purple. G.C. III. 23:59. Var. Ashworthiana, O'Brien. Sepals pure white, lance-oblong; petals broadly ovate, also white; front lobe of the
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labellum broad, expanded, white, with a few blue dots and yellow keels on the throat; side lobes with lines of slaty blue. G.C. III. 15:103. J.H.
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III.28:125. Var. waddoniensis, Hort. Fls. pure white; side lobes of the lip marked with purple lines, disk yellowish. J.H. III. 56:349. G.C. III. 23:125.
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G.M. 41:115. Var. Chamberlainiana, Hort. Sepals and petals soft rosy lilac; base and side lobes of lip purple- lined, the middle lobe a glaring
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crimson-purple, the callus orange. G.C. III. 31:71; 49:78. G.M. 45:101. Var. Percivaliana, Reichb. f. Fls. small, but freely produced; sepals and petals
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white, tinged with bluish pink; lateral lobes of the labellum deep purple at the tips and spotted; throat yellow, with purplish crimson lines; middle lobe
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creamy yellow at the base; apex purplish. Gn. 25:534. Var. delicate, Hort. ex Williams. Labellum white, suffused with mauve; throat orange- yellow;
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sepals and petals rose, mauve or lilac. Var. rosea, Reichb. f.  A variety having bright rose-colored fls., with the margins of the labellum darker rose.
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Gn. 25:534. Var. grandiflora, Williams. A robust form resembling the type. G.C. III. 3:105. Var. holochila, Rolfe. Sepals and petals nearly alike, pale
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lilac; lip petaloid, elliptical-lanceolate, light purple, yellow and white at the base. G.F. 4:173. Var. Scottiana, Warner and Williams. Sepals and petals
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mauve; labellum deep purple, with a yellow throat, Var. morada. This is a name under which importations of large, highly colored forms of L. anceps
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were sold by the Liverpool Hort. Co., England, as var. grandiflora. —Many other varieties appear under Latin names.
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Laelia rubescens (L. acuminata,  L. peduncularis). Pseudobulbs ovate to subrotund, clustered, sometimes rugose, 1-lvd.: lvs. oblong to lance-oblong,
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emarginate, 4-5 in. long: scape slender, jointed, sheathed with brown scales at the joints, 1 ft. long, with 2-8 graceful, fragrant fls.; sepals spreading,
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linear-oblong, acute; petals slightly longer and twice as wide, undulate; labellum as long as the petal; middle lobe of the same form but more undulate
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and with a stain of yellow on the disk, purplish red on the inner surface. B.M. 4905 and 4099. B.R. 26:41; 27:24; 31:69. F.S. 1:9; 7:742. P.M. 10:49.
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O.R. 14:41; 19:72.—A slender, graceful plant with small, whitish, lilac-tinted or rose-colored fls. much smaller than those of L. anceps.
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Laelia  Jongheana, Reichb. f. Rhizome with remarkably thick root-fibers: pseudobulbs ovate-oblong, 1-lvd.: lvs. broadly oblong, 3—5 in. long, very
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thick and dark green: scape stout, shorter than the lf., 1-2-fld.; fls. 4 in. diam., bright amethyst-color; sepals linear-lanceolate, acute; petals broadly
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oblong-obtuse; labellum convolute; lateral lobes very shallow; middle lobe emarginate, white and crisp, with about 7 golden-yellow undulate ridges in
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the throat. Brazil. B.M.6038. R.H. 1873:290. G.C. 1872:425.  O.R. 12:273.—A dwarf species with remarkable leathery lvs. Said to equal L.
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grandiflora and Cattleya Mossiae. Rare in cult. Many varieties are listed under Latin names.
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Laelia  pumila (Cattleya pumila,  marginata,  L. praestans,  L. Dayana, L. Pinelli ). Pseudobulbs small, st.-like, with 1 oblong to linear-oblong lf. 5-6 in.
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long: peduncle shorter than the lvs., each bearing a single, large, drooping, rose-purple fl.; sepals oblong, acute; petals ovate-oblong, broader,
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undulate; labellum very involute; lateral lobes subquadrate, middle lobe short, emarginate, waved and crisped; throat yellow, apex rich purple. A
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pretty dwarf species from Brazil, very variable and useful. B.M. 3656,5498. B.R. 30:5. F. 1850:89 (as Cattleya spectabilis). G.C. II. 23:597; III.
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36:354.—Many variiations of this plant have been described as distinct species, although botanically but one species. Some of them are well-marked
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horticultural varieties. Var. praestans, Veitch (L. praestans). A large-fld., highly-colored variety, with the sepals and petals much broader than in the
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type; labellum rich purple, very rigid and fleshy, lines almost obsolete. B.M. 5498. Gn. 53, p. 550. Var. marginata, Hort. (Catlleya marginata). Fls.
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large; sepals and petals rose-crimson; labellum with a white border, crisp. Brazil. P.M. 10:265. I.H. 6:193 (as Cattleyapumila var. major). F.S.
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18:1900. G.C. III. 22:262. A.G. 11:158. Var. Day ana, Dean (L. Dayana ). Sepals and petals rose-purple; labellum with a deep purple margin. Earlier
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than the type. Brazil. R.H. 1890, p. 490. F.M. 1877:249. Var. alba, Hort. Fls. like var. praestans, but pure white with the base of the lip yellow.
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G.C.III.21:11. J.H. III. 34:27; 43:349; 49:409, 475.
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Laelia Leeana, Hybrid: pseudobulbs cylindrical, somewhat swollen, 1-lvd.: lvs. cuneate-oblong, very coriaceous: sepals and petals spreading, ligulate,
 +
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acute, somewhat undulate, rose-color; lateral lobes of the labellum semi-ovate, acute, the tips resting on the middle lamella, white, tips purple; middle
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lobe broad, obcordate. Sept. "Natural hybrid of L. marginata and —-?" (Hansen).—As this plant has 4 pollinia, it is probably nearer Cattleya. It was
 +
 +
imperfectly described by Reichb. as a doubtful hybrid.
 +
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GROUP III
 +
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Laelia Digbyana (Brassdvola Digbyana ). Pseudobulbs elongate, st.-like, 1-lvd.: lvs. elliptical, thick, fleshy, plane, slightly keeled: peduncle with a
 +
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solitary, very large, fragrant fl. 3-5 in. across; sepals and petals similar, oblong, spreading, pale purplish green; petals slightly broader; labellum very
 +
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large- cordate, entirely surrounding the column, white or cream-colored, with the margin cut into a broad laciniate fringe, which makes the fl. very
 +
 +
striking. July, Aug. Honduras. B.M. 4474. B.R. 32:53. F.S. 3:237. G.C. III. 18:153. G.M. 46:307.—A slow-growing orchid.
 +
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Laelia glauca (Brassavola glauca ). St. short, creeping: pseudobulbs short, oblong, st.-like, compressed and sheathed with scales, bearing a single
 +
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oblong, glaucous, very thick and leathery lf.: fls. usually single, on a stalk shorter than the lf., fragrant; sepals and petals spreading,
 +
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oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, greenish yellow; labellum with a short claw surrounding the column, then expanding into a large 3-lobed limb, yellowish
 +
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white, streaked with red in the throat. Mex. and Guatemala. B.M. 4033. B.R. 26:44. G.C. 111.7:357.
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Laelia virens,  Plants about 6 in. high: fls. 1 in. across; sepals suberect, ovate; petals lanceolate, sub- equal; labellum obsoletely 3-lobed, cucullate;
 +
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apex ovate, crisp, with obscure raised lines toward the base. Brazil.—The fls. are pale yellowish green, of no beauty.
 +
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Laelia xanthina,  Lvs. oblong, longer than the fusiform pseudobulb: raceme 3-5-fld.; fls. 3 in. across, buff-yellow except the lip, which is white in front
 +
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streaked with crimson-purple; sepals and petals sub- equal, oblong-obtuse, undulate, leathery and convex; labellum nearly quadrate when spread out,
 +
 +
without raised veins. Brazil.  B.M. 5144.  F.S. 23:2418.— Intro. 1858. A second-rate species.
 +
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Laelia grandis,  Pseudobulbs st.-like, 1-lvd., 1 ft. high: lvs. rigid, oblong-lanceolate: scape erect, bearing 2-5 fls. 4 in. across; sepals and petals
 +
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lanceolate, the latter a little broader, slightly curled or twisted; labellum white; front lobe large, bell-shaped, crenate-toothed, veined with purple.
 +
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Spring. Brazil. B.M. 5553. F.S. 7, p. 238, and 23:2473.—A curious species with the sepals and petals colored tawny yellow, contrasting strongly with
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the whitish purple-veined lip. Var. tenebrosa, God. Lebeufe. Sepals and petals citron- yellow, less undulate; labellum trumpet-shaped, purple, with a
 +
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broad border of white with many purple veins. G.C. III. 14:221. G.M. 36:531.
 +
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Laelia superbiens, Pseudobulbs 1 ft. or more in length, oblong, with 1 or 2 coriaceous oblong lvs. equaling the pseudobulbs in length: scape drooping,
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5-6 ft. long, bearing a globose cluster of 10-20 fls. each about 6 in. diam.; sepals and petals nearly equal, spreading, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse,
 +
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lilac-purple, paler below; labellum as long as the segms.. middle lobe broad obcordate, waved and crisped; disk with several prominent toothed crests,
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yellow, deep crimson-purple on the margins; side lobes yellow with purple margins and stripes. Guatemala. B.M. 4090. F.S. 11:1178, 1179. P.M.
 +
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11:97. R.H. 1886:324.—A very large plant.
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Laelia Boothiana (L. lobata,  Cattleya lobata ). A strong-growing plant: pseudobulbs clavate, furrowed, 1-lvd.: lvs. lanceolate-oblong, about as long as
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the scape: scape 8-10 in. long, from the axil of the lf., 2-5-fld.; fls. about 5 in. across, uniformly violet-purple with rich crimson veins on the lip; sepals
 +
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lanceolate, with reflexed margins; petals broad, oblong, undulate, crisp; labellum cucullate, the middle lobe reflexed, all beautifully waved and crisped.
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Much like L.crispa in habit. April, May. S.Brazil. R.H. 1874:331 (asL.Rivieri). G.C. 1848:403; III. 10:577. F.S. 20, p. 132. A.G. 13:608. O.R.
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12:265.—This plant is not free-flowering, hence it is little cult., although a beautiful and distinct species.
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Laelia crispa (Cattleya crispa ). Pseudobulbs clustered, elongate-clavate, 1-lvd.: lvs. large, 1 ft. long, oblong-lanceolate, emarginate: scape with 5-6
 +
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large, handsome, fragrant fls.; sepals linear-oblanceolate or spatulate, acute, margins revolute; petals much broader, with the margins beautifully
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waved and crisped; labellum standing forward, recurved at the apex; side lobes rounded, white, yellow at base, streaked with red; middle lobe long,
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ovate-acuminate, deep purple inside, veined, all remarkably waved and crisped. Summer. On lofty trees fully exposed. Brazil. B.M. 3910. B.R. 1172.
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Gn. 48, p. 504. J.H. III.33:197. P.M. 5:5. O.R. 9:201; 17:305.—A fine white-fld. species resembling a cattleya in habit. Var. Cauwelaertiae, L. Lind.
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Sepals and petals tinged with greenish yellow; base of labellum yellow. I.H. 38:121.
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Laelia purpurata (Cattleya Brysiana ). Fig. 2057. Pseudobulbs long-elliptical, 6-8 in. high: lvs. solitary, oblong, leathery, dark green, 1 ft. or more in
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length: scape erect, 3—7-fld.; fls. very large, 6-8 in. across; sepals linear-oblong, spreading, white, suffused with light rose; petals much broader,
 +
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ovate, undulate, crisp, base attenuate, colored like the sepals; labellum very large, bell-shaped; middle lobe rounded, undulate, crisp, rich purple with
 +
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darker veins, throat yellow. A robust plant, whose large fls., borne on strong erect stalks, make it one of the grandest laelias in cult. Spring. Brazil.
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I.H. 1, p. 54, and 3:83. F.S. 11:1138, 1139. Gn. 54, p. 17; 56, p. 46 (var. Mrs. Measures). G.C. II. 14:45; 20:533. A.F. 6:223. O.R. 15:156. G.M. 57:723
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(var. alba). Var. atropurpurea, Williams. Sepals and petals deep rose; labellum large, expanded, purple-magenta; throat yellow, veined with purple.
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Brazil. Var. Ashworthiana, J. Anders. Petals wider than in the type, 2 in. wide, purplish rose, with darker stripes. A highly colored form. G.C. 111.
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20:39. Var.
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Nelisii, Hort., Versch. Sepals and petals subsessile, the former rose-colored outside; midlobe of the labellum ovate, acute. Much like the type in color.
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I.H. 15:569. Var. Russelliana, Williams (L. Russelliana, Hort.). Fls. large; sepals somewhat narrow, white, suffused with lilac; petals broader, deeper
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lilac; labellum large, rose- lilac; throat yellow, marked with rose. Autumn. Var. Schrdederi. Reichb. f. Sepals and petals white; labellum white, with a
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tinge of rose in the center; tube pale yellow, with fine, dark purple lines. I.H. 38:139. Var. Mandaiana, Hort. Pseudobulbs thinner and narrower than in
 +
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the type: fls. as large as those of the type, pure white, with a faint tinge of pink on the labellum. Var. praetexta, Reichb. f. No description of this plant
 +
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is available. Many other varieties appear under Latin names.
 +
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Laelia Perrinii (Cattleya Perrinii ). Pseudobulbs elongate: lvs. solitary, oblong, coriaceous, 8 in. long, equaling the st.: fls. showy, 2-3 on a short stalk:
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sepals oblong-linear, obtuse; petals a little broader, all rose-purple, darker at the tips; middle lobe of labellum cucullate, expanded, oblong, obtuse,
 +
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undulate, with an inflated fistular cavity at the base, destitute of ridges, color deep crimson: lateral lobes erect, acute, pale. Oct.-Dec. Brazil. B.M.
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3711 (as L. intermedia var. angustifolia). B.R. 24:2. P.M. 13:5. G.M. 37:717. A.F. 13:1196: 31:470.—Fls. rather pale. Var. alba, O'Brien. Fls. white,
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labellum tinged with yellow. There are several pale varieties of this plant.
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Group IV
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Laelia monophylla, N. E. Br. Rhizome a matted mass sending up tufts of lf.- and fl.-sts.: flowering sts. 6-10 in. long, as thick as a crow-quill, rigid and
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erect, bearing a single linear-oblong, obtuse lf. 2-3 in. long, and several sheathing bracts; fls. 1-2 in. across, vivid orange-scarlet; sepals and petals
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similar, spreading, oblong, subacute; labellum very small, lateral lobes embracing the column, terminal minute papillose on the disk. Mountains of
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Jamaica, growing on trees at elevations of 3,000-5,000 ft. B.M. 6683.
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Laelia harpophylla, Hybrid much like L. cinnabarina. Pseudobulbs slender, about 10 in. long, each bearing a single lance-linear If.: raceme short,
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suberect, bearing 5-10 brilliant scarlet-orange fls.; sepals and petals oblong-lanceolate, acute; middle lobe linear, acuminate, crisp, with a whitish spot.
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A luxuriant free-flowering species. Feb..March. Brazil. Gn. 24:116. F.M. 1879:372. J.H. III. 43:283.—Probably a hybrid between L. cinnabarina and a
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Brassavola(?)
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Laelia cinnabarina, Fig. 2058. Pseudobulbs elongate, cylindrical,but broadest at the base, sheathed with scales, bearing 1-2 linear-oblong, reflexed,
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acute, coriaceous lvs.: raceme terminal, erect, 15-20 in. long, with 4—5 medium-sized reddish orange fls.; sepals and petals linear-oblong, obtuse,
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 +
spreading; labellum convolute, reflexed; lateral lobes acute, middle lobe large, oval, crisp. Brazil. B.M.4302. P.M. 7:193. O.R. 20:361. —A
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summer-flowering species whose peculiar color and graceful habit render it very ornamental. Var. crispilabia (L. crispilabia,  L. Lawrenciana ). Fls.
 +
 +
amethyst-purple; labellum darker, finely crisp and undulate: raceme 12-14 in. long, bearing 3-5 fls. A pretty, free-flowering variety.
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 +
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