!Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr. 1914 SUBGENUS Laelia SECTION Laelia Lindley Photo by © Lourens Grobler

Plant in situ in Mexico

Another In Situ View in Mexico Photo courtesy of Weyman Bussey

to to

Common Name May-flowered or Showy Laelia or in Mexico - Flor de Mayo

Flower Size to 6" [to 15 cm]

This is a Mexican orchid of the central plateau and adjoining highlands warm to cold growing, miniature epiphyte with 1 to 2 leaves that is found in xerophytic conditions in open oak forests at elevations of 1400 to 2400 meters with subglobose to ovoid, rugose pseudobulbs with 1 to 2 lanceolate-elliptic, acute, coriaceous-fleshy, green suffused with purple, basally clasping leaves that blooms in the spring and summer with an apical, 5 to 6" [12 to 15 cm] long inflorescence which arises from a newly developing pseudobulb and carries 1 to occasionally 4, fragrant flowers. It is a very drought resistant plant and as such should be given a drier environment and a definite dry winter rest.

Synonyms Amalia grandiflora (Lex.) Heynh. 1846; Amalia majalis (Lindl.) Heynh. 1846; Bletia grandiflora La Llave & Lex. 1825; Bletia speciosa Kunth 1816; Cattleya grahami Lindley 1841; Cattleya majalis [Lindl.]Beer 1854; Laelia grandiflora (La Llave & Lex.) Lindl. 1831; Laelia majalis Lindley 1839

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Xenia Orchidaceae vol 2 Rchb.f 1862 as Bletia praestans drawing; Xenia Orchidaceae vol 2 Rchb.f 1862 as Bletia grandiflora; Flora Novo-Galaciana Vol 16 McVaugh 1985; Cattleya and Their Relatives Vol 2 Withner 1990; Icones Orchidacearum I Plate 52 1990

Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr. var alba 1914 subgen Laelia sec Laelia Lindley Photo courtesy of Weyman Bussey

A white version of the previous species.