# Laelia

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

## Description

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

## Distribution

Species of Laelia can be found from western Mexico south to Bolivia, from sea level to mountain forests.

## Taxonomy

The genus Laelia was described as part of subfamily Epidendroideae by John Lindley. 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 have been moved either to the genus Laelia or Myrmecophila.

### Species

Laelia comprises the following species:
| Name | Distribution | Elevation (m) |
| Laelia albida Bateman ex Lindl. 1839 | Mexico | 1,000–2,000 metres (3,300–6,600 ft) |
| Laelia anceps Lindl. 1835 | Mexico and Honduras | 500–1,500 metres (1,600–4,900 ft) |
| Laelia aurea A.Navarro 1990 | Mexico ( Durango, Sinaloa and Nayarit ) | 200 metres (660 ft) |
| Laelia autumnalis (Lex.) Lindl. 1831 | Mexico | 1,500–2,600 metres (4,900–8,500 ft) |
| Laelia colombiana J.M.H.Shaw 2008 | Colombia and Venezuela | |
| Laelia elata (Schltr.) J.M.H.Shaw 2009 | Colombia | |
| Laelia eyermaniana Rchb.f. 1888 | Mexico (Nayarit, Michoacán, and Jalisco, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, and Querétaro. Halbinger) | 1,600–2,600 metres (5,200–8,500 ft) |
| Laelia furfuracea Lindl. 1839 | Mexico (Oxaca) | 2,100–3,000 metres (6,900–9,800 ft) |
| Laelia gloriosa (Rchb.f.) L.O.Williams 1860 | Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and northern Brazil | 200–850 metres (660–2,790 ft) |
| Laelia gouldiana Rchb.f. 1888 | Mexico Hidalgo | 1,550 metres (5,090 ft) |
| Laelia × halbingeriana Salazar & Soto Arenas | Oaxaca, Mexico | 1,160 metres (3,810 ft) |
| Laelia heidii (Carnevali) Van den Berg & M.W.Chase 2004 | Colombia and Venezuela | |
| Laelia lueddemannii (Prill.) L.O.Williams 1940 | Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela | 0–600 metres (0–1,969 ft) |
| Laelia lyonsii (Lindl.) L.O.Williams 1941 | Cuba and Jamaica | 0–800 metres (0–2,625 ft) |
| Laelia marginata (Lindl.) L.O.Williams 1941 | Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Northern Brazil | |
| Laelia mottae Archila, Chiron, Szlach. & Pérez-García 2014 | Guatemala | 400 metres (1,300 ft) |
| Laelia moyobambae (Schltr.) C.Schweinf. 1944 | Bolivia and Peru | |
| Laelia rosea (Linden ex Lindl.) C.Schweinf. 1967 | Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana | |
| Laelia rubescens Lindl. 1840 | Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua | 0–1,700 metres (0–5,577 ft) |
| Laelia schultzei (Schltr.) J.M.H.Shaw 2008 | Colombia | |
| Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr. 1914 | Mexico | 1,400–2,400 metres (4,600–7,900 ft) |
| Laelia splendida (Schltr.) L.O.Williams 1941 | Colombia and Ecuador | 600–1,500 metres (2,000–4,900 ft) |
| Laelia superbiens Lindl. 1840 | Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua | 800–2,000 metres (2,600–6,600 ft) |
| Laelia undulata (Lindl.) L.O.Williams 1941 | Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Trinidad, Venezuela | 600–1,200 metres (2,000–3,900 ft) |
| Laelia weberbaueriana (Kraenzl.) C.Schweinf. 1944 | Peru and Bolivia | 200–1,300 metres (660–4,270 ft) |

## 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 is a distinct genus rather than a nothogenus.