!Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr. 1914 subgen Laelia sec Laelia Lindley Photo by © Lourens Grobler
Another In Situ View in Mexico Photo courtesy of Weyman Bussey
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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 ;
Flora Novo-Galaciana Vol 16 McVaugh 1985; Icones Orchidacearum I Plate 52 1990
Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr. var alba 1914
A white version of the previous species.
