~Kochiophyton negrense Schlecter - See Acacalis cyanea Lindley

~Kraenzlinella O. Ktze. - See Pleurothallis R. Brown SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Maxillarieae, SUBTRIBE Zygopetalinae.

~Kraenzlinella platyrachis [Rolfe]Rolfe - See Pleruothallis endotrachys Rchb.f

Laelia LindleySUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Laeliinae.

Laelia was first described by John Lindley in 1831 and Schlechter revised it in 1917 by dividing the genus to 7 subsections.

1. Cattleyodes- the species that resemble Cattleya yet have 8 pollina such as Laelia purpurata.

2.Hadrolaelia- Have lips with distinctive crests and keels as well as heteroblastic psuedobulbs such as Laelia pumila.

3.Laelia- has homoblastic psuedobulbs such as Laelia speciosa.

4. Microlaelia- same as section 3 except for sepals and petals are of equal size such as Laelia lundii.

5. Cyrtolaelia- they are rupicolious or rock growing and have a narrow lip and the flower color is most often yellow to orange red such as Laelia cinnabarina.

6.Podolaelia- has sheaths and an articulated stem such as Laelia anceps.

7. Calolaelia- has a single species, Laelia superbiens, which has now been moved to Schomburgkia.

~Laelia acuminata Lindley - See L. rubescens Lindley

1. Laelia alvarensis
Photo courtesy of Nelson Machado.
2. Laelia anceps Lindley White variety
Photo courtesy of Ruth Mikkelsen.

This is an intermediate to warm growing species from Mexico and Honduras and is found from altitudes of 500-1500 meters as an epiphyte in tall scattered oaks in pastures and coffee plantations, it is an autumn blooming plant that needs a dry winter rest.

3. Laelia anceps Lindley var. chamberlainiana Lindley
Photo courtesy of Allen Black.

This variety is the same as the type.

4. Laelia anceps Lindley var. veitchiana Rchb. f.
Photo courtesy of Carson Whitlow and his Orchid Mall
5. Laelia angereri Pabst
Photo courtesy of Nelson Barbosa Machado Neto.

Found as a lithophyte under bushes at 1000-1300 meters to the Northeast of Minas Gerais in Brazil. They have hot summers and cold winter nights which are typically dry, but there is daily dew in the winter so light misting through the winter is required. Pot with a rocky base media such as solite or aliflor and add a little crushed tree fern then grow in an intermediate to cool environment with indirect bright light.

6. Laelia autumnalis var atrorubens Lindley
Photo courtesy of Robert Weyman Bussey

This particular clone came from the Volcano, Popocateptl at about 2300 meters in elevation.

7. Laelia autumnalis Pink variety
Photo courtesy of Robert Weyman Bussey

This one is from the state of Michoacan, 1900 m elevation, very fragrant!

8. Laelia autumnalis var gouldiana Lindley
Photo courtesy of Linda's Orchid Page

A Mexican epiphytic species that grows cool to intermediate and is found in montane oak forests or lithophytically on volcanic rocks at elevations of 1500-2200 meters and has club-shaped psuedobulbs that have two dark green leaves with pointed ends, and an inflorescence that arises from the apex of a partially developed psuedobulb. They have fragrant flowers in the winter if given good light and a dry winter rest.

9. Laelia bancalari R. González & Hágsater
Photo courtesy of Robert Weyman Bussey

This species is from Mexico and may now be called Laelia crawshayana Rchb.f., according to Miguel Angel Soto in Mexico City, it is similar to autumnalis but blooms in Late January and February. It comes only from the state of Jalisco, East of Puerto Vallarta.

~Laelia barkeriana Knowles & Westc. - See Laelia anceps Lindley

~Laelia boothiana Rchb.f - See Laelia lobata [Lindley]Veitch

~Laelia casperiana Rchb.f - See Laelia purpurata Lindley & Paxt.

10. Laelia crispa [Lindl.] Rchb. f.
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders

A Brazilian species that is an intermediate to warm growing plant that blooms in the summer.

11. Laelia crispata [Thunb.]Garay
Photo courtesy of Nelson Barbosa Machado Neto.

Found in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais it is a lithophyte found under dense scrub bushes on cliff ledges at an elevation of 400-800 meters. Well drained pots in an intermediate environment and bright indirect light combined with a dry winter rest will make this an easy summer to fall bloomer once established.

~Laelia digbyana [Lindley]Benth. - See Rhynchlaelia digbyana [Lindley]Schlecter

12. Laelia eyermaniana Rchb. f.
Photo by Robert Weyman Bussey.

it blooms only in summer and early fall. Plants are smaller than Laelia autumnalis and it comes only from the Mexican west coast north of Oaxaca state into Nayarit.

13. Laelia gardneri Pabst
Photo by Nelson Machado.

~Laelia glauca Bth. - See Rhyncholaelia glauca [Lindley]Schlecter

~Laelia gouldiana Rchb.f - See L. autumnalis, considered a color variation.

14. Laelia gracilis Pabst
Photo courtesy of Nelson Barbosa Machado Neto.

Found in the state of Minas Gerais in the Serra do Cipo' as a lithophyte under stunted bushes. Fairly bright light is needed along with a cool to intermediate environment, Pot with a coarse mixture and water while growing and give a drier winter.

~Laelia grandis Lindley & Paxton var tenebrosa Gower - See L. Tenebrosa Rolfe

~Laelia humboldtii [Rchb.f]L.O.Wms. - See Schomburgkia humboldtii [Rchb.f]Rchb.f

15. Laelia kautskyana Pabst
Photo courtesy of Nelson Barbosa Machado Neto.

Found in the shady forests of Espirito Santos, Brazil at an elevation of 600 meters as an epiphyte. It requires an intermediate to cool environment with partial shade and regular spring and summer waterings and less in the winter.

~Laelia lindenii Lindley - See Cattleyopsis lindenii [Lindley] Cogn.

16. Laelia lobata (Lindl.) H.J. Veitch
Photo courtesy of David Holmes and David's Orchid Pages

A Brazilian intermediate to warm growing epiphytic orchid that blooms in the spring and early summer.

17. Laelia longipes Rchb.f
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders
18. Laelia lucasiana Rolfe
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders.

Found in the mountains of Minas Gerais in Brazil at an elevation of 1400-1700 meters as a lithophyte on fully exposed rocky outcroppings. It needs a definite 6 month winter rest with only occasional mistings, bright light and water only while growing.

19. Laelia lucasiana var. alba Rolfe
Photo courtesy of Nelson Machado
20. Laelia lundii Rchb. f.
Photo courtesy of Sparkdog's Orchid Page

A Brazilian species found at an altitude of 1000 meters.

21. Laelia mantiquerae Pabst
Photo courtesy of Nelson Barbosa Machado Neto.

~Laelia peduncularis Lindley - See L. rubescens Lindley

22. Laelia perrinii var coerulea Bateman
Photo courtesy of Carson Whitlow and his Orchid Mall

A Brazilian intermediate to warm growing epiphytic orchid that blooms in the autumn and winter.

23. Laelia praestans Rchb. f.
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders
24. Laelia pumila [Hooker]Rchb.f
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders

Another Brazilian intermediate to warm growing species that blooms in the fall.

25. Laelia pumila [Hooker]Rchb.f var. coerulea
Photo courtesy of Carson Whitlow and his Orchid Mall
26. Laelia purpurata Lindley
Photo courtesy of Dale Borders.

An intermediate plant from Brazil that blooms in the winter and needs a dry winter rest and moderate year round light.

27. Laelia purpurata var carnea Lindley

This is a light pink variety

28. Laelia purpurata var werkhauseri Lindley
Photo courtesy of Carson Whitlow and his Orchid Mall
29. Laelia reginae Pabst

A beautiful minature plant from Brazil. Blooms in the late spring.

~Laelia riveri Carr. - See Laelia lobata [Lindley]Veitch

30. Laelia rubescens Lindley

A Central American warm to intermediate growing epiphyte of dry areas and wooded regions at an elevation of 1200-1700 meters on exposed tree trunks where they withstand full sun for hours, yet get plenty of air movement to cool down. They are distinguished from other Laelia by their compessed wrinkled psuedobulbs with a leathery apical leaf and they flower in the autumn and winter on a new growth.

~Laelia rupestris Lindley - See L. crispata [Thunb.]Garay

31. Laelia sincorana Schlecter
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders.
32. Laelia tenebrosa Rolfe
Photo courtesy of Allen Black.

Found in Brazil this species blooms from June til August and grows as an intermediate epiphyte.

~Laelia tereticaulis Hoehne - See L. crispata [Thunb.]Garay

~Laelia thomsoniana [Rchb.f]L.O.Wms. - See Myrmecophilia brysiana var. minor [Hooker] H.G.Jones

~Laelia tibicinis [Batem. ex Lindley] L.O.Wms. - See Myrmecophilia tibicinis [Bateman]Rolfe

~Laelia undulata [Lindley] L. O. Wms. - Schomburgkia undulata Lindley

~Laelia virens Lindley - See L. xanthina Lindley

~Laelia violacea Rchb.f - See L. rubescens Lindley

~Laelia wetmorei Ruschi - See L. xanthina Lindley

~Laelia wyattiana Rchb.f - See L. purpurata Lindley & Paxt.

33. Laelia xanthina Lindley
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders

A Brazilian intermediate to warm growing plant that blooms in the late spring and early summer.

Laeliopsis Lindl. ex Paxton SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Laeliinae.

A monotypic genus found as an epiphyte or lithophyte in the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola and Mona at altitudes from sealevel to 200 meters in xeric or hot, dry and desert like conditions. It differs from Broughtonia in that it has fleshy-rigid erose leaves and an elongate column lacking wings, and from Cattleyopsis in that it has 4 equal pollina instead of 8 unequal and the column lacks basal appendages.

~Laeliopsis chinense Lindley ex Rchb.f - See Barkeria obovata [C. Presl.]Christenson

1. Laeliopsis domingensis Lindl. ex Paxton
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders

From the island of Hispaniola this warm growing plant blooms most often in the spring and summer.

Lanium Lindley SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Laeliinae.

This genus has less than 5 species found in northern South America as small epiphytic herbs that have a creeping rhizome and for that reason are best mounted on tree fern or cork. Before flowering the plant needs shade and water , but afterwards, more light and less water is needed.

1. Lanium avicula (Lindl.) Benth.
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders.

Found in the Amazonas of Brazil and Peru as a small creeping epiphytic plant that blooms in the fall.

~Latouria Bl. - Dendrobium Sw. SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Dendrobieae, SUBTRIBE Dendrobiinae.

~Ledgeria FvM. - See Erythrorchis Bl. SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Vanilleae, SUBTRIBE Vanillinae

~Ledgeria aphylla FvM. - See Erythrorchis cassythoides (A.M. Cunn.) Garay

Lemboglossum Halbinger SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Oncidieae.

The 14 species that make up the genus Lemboglossum were all listed as from the genus Odontoglossum until 1984 and for registration of hybrids, they still are. They are all found in Central America from Mexico south to Costa Rica and are intermediate to cold growing. They appreciate small pots with adequate drainage as the roots do not like to be kept wet, shade and humidy while in growth and a cooler drier winter.

1. Lemboglossum bictoniense (Bateman) Halb.
Photo courtesy of Robert Weyman Bussey.

This is a Mexican species and the photo is of one en situ on the roadside between Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. This intermediate to cool growing epiphytic species is found on trees in humid forests, on rock on cliffs and terrestrially up to 3200 meters in altitude in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador and it blooms in the winter and spring.

2. Lemboglossum cervantesii [La Llave & Lex.] Halbinger
Photo courtesy of Dale Borders.

This species is endemic to Mexico and grows as an epiphyte in mixed pine/oak forests and on cliffs and rocky slopes at elevations of 1400-3000 meters and blooms with fragrant flowers in the winter through the spring. It is an evergreen species and requires a semi-dry winter rest, and a cool, humid, brightly illuminated area.

3. Lemboglossum cordatum [Lindley]Halbinger
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders.

From Mexico to Costa Rica and in Venezuela this species is found epiphytically and sometimes terrestrially in the paramo [mist forest] that forms at 1900-2500 meters and blooms in the spring.

4. Lemboglossum rossii[Lindley]Halbinger
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders

This is a cool growing epiphytic species from the humid Guatemalan and Mexican cloud forests at an elevation of 2000-2400 meters, which blooms in the winter till spring on a newly matured growth and is an evergreen plant that requires even watering and fertilizer throughout the year.

~Lemboglossum stellatum [Lindley] Halb. - See Rhynchostele stellata (Lindl.) Soto Arenas & Salazar

~Leopardanthus Bl. - See Dipodium R. Brown SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Cymbidieae, SUBTRIBE Cyrtopodiinae.

Lepanthes Sw. SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae , TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Pleurothallidinae.

1. Lepanthes felis Luer & R. Escobar
Photo courtesy of James E. Zablotny and his Pleurothallid Page

A Colombian species found in Antioquia state.

2. Lepanthes ribes Luer
Photo courtesy of James E. Zablotny and his Pleurothallid Page

An Ecuadorian terrestrial species found at elevations of 1800 to 2400 meters.

3. Lepanthes species
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders
4. Lepanthes sp. Panama
Photo courtesy of James E. Zablotny and his Pleurothallid Page
5. Lepanthes sp. Ecuador
Photo courtesy of James E. Zablotny and his Pleurothallid Page

Lepanthopsis [Cogn.]Ames SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae , TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Pleurothallidinae.

There are 25 species in this widespread American species which is found from Florida to Mexico and the West Indies and then south to Peru and Brazil they are normally epiphytes with short rhizomes and clustered erect stems each having several obconical cilliate sheaths and a terminal leaf.

1. Lepanthopsis astrophora (Rchb. f. ex Kraenzl.) Garay
Photo courtesy of James E. Zablotny and his Pleurothallid Page

~Leptothrium Kth. - See Isochilus R. Brown SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Arethuseae. SUBTRIBE Sobrliinae

This genus of two species is found from Mid Central America to the north to Mid South America to the south and the Caribbean to the east and can be found growing as an epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial creeping herb that can become dense mats. They have long stems with soft flat, sub coriaceous, distichous, linear, leaves on the upper two thirds and a terminal inflorescence with one to many flowers. They require humid shady well watered conditions with a well drained pot with tree fern and aliflor.

Leptotes Lindley SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Laeliinae.

Leptotes consist of three species that come from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and was first described as a genus by Lindley in 1833 using Leptotes bicolor as the type species. They are small sticklike plants that carry large flowers for the size of the plant. They have one subterete leaf on a short stem that gives rise from the axil an inflorescence with one to a few flowers with subsimilar sepals and petals and a 3 lobed lip with a short distinct claw on the sidelobes that is fixed to the base of the column which is short erect and has 6 waxy pollina, 4 large and two small. They grow best mounted on cork , wood or tree fern to accomodate the small pseudobulbs that grow into clumps fairly quickly if the plant is happy. They are happiest with moderate shade and humidity and need less watering after flowering but not a true rest.

1. Leptotes bicolor Lindley

A beautiful mini from Brazil and Paraguay with terete pencil-like psuedobulbs and leaves, large fragrant flowers, late winter or early spring bloomer and grows very well attached to tree fern with bright light and humid conditions.

~Leptotes glaucophylla Hoffmannsegg - See L. Bicolor Lindley

~Leptotes serrulata Nichols - See L. Bicolor Lindley

~Leucostachys Hoffmannsegg - See Goodyera R. Br. SUBFAMILY Spiranthoideae, TRIBE Erythrodeae.

~Lichenora Wight - See Eria Lindley SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Eriinae.

~Lichterveldia Lem. - See Cuitlauzina La Llave & Lex. SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Oncidieae

~Lichterveldia lindleyi Lem. - See Cuitlauzina pendula La Llave & Lex.

~Limatodis Lindley - See Calanthe R. Brown SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Arethuseae, SUBTRIBE Blettinae

~Limnorchis Rydb. - See Habenaria Willd. SUBFAMILY Orchidoideae, TRIBE Orchideae, SUBTRIBE Orchidinae.

Limodorum Swartz SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Arethuseae, SUBTRIBE Bletinae.

After many revisions this genus has but one species left and it comes from Central and Southern Europe and is a saprophytic terrestrial species.

1. Limodorum abortivum  (Linne) Swartz
Photo courtesy of Pascal Pernot and His Orchids of France and Europe

An intermediate to cool growing terrestrial orchid found in Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa that blooms in spring and early summer.

~ Limodorum abortivum subsp. occidentale Rouy - See Limodorum trabutianum  Battandier

~Limodorum abortivum subsp. trabutianum (Battandier) Rouy - See Limodorum trabutianum  Battandier

~Limodorum canaliculatum Aubl. - See Tetramicra canaliculata [Aubl.] Urban

~Limodorum facatum Sw. - See Neofinetia falcata [Thunb.] H.H.Hu

~Limodorum funalis Sw - See Dendrophylax funalis Fawcett

~Limodorum graminifolium [D.Don] Buch.-Ham. - Arundina graminifolium [D. Don] Hochr.

~Limodorum incarvilliae Pers. - See Phaius tankervilleae [Banks]Blume

~Limodorum lusitanicum Guimar. - See Limodorum trabutianum  Battandier

~Limodorum maculatum Lodd. - See Oeceoclades maculata [Lindley]Lindley

~*Limodoroum purpureum Lam. - See B. purpurea [Lam.]D.C.

~*Limodorum roseum D. Don - See Epipogum Roseum [D.Don]Lindley

~*Limodorum striatum Thunb - See Bletilla striata [Thumb.]Rchb.f.

~Limodorum tankervilleae Banks - See Phaius tankervilleae [Banks]Blume

2. Limodorum trabutianum  Battandier
Photo courtesy of T. H. Pain and His Orchids of France and Europe

Found in France, Italt, Spain, Portugal and western North Africa as an intermediate growing terrestrial orchid that blooms in the spring.

~Limodorum trifidum Michx. - See Bletia purpurea [Lam.]DC

~Limodorum tuberosum L. See Calopogon tuberosus [L.]Britton, Sterns & Pogg.

~Limodorum tuberosum L. inpart - See B. purpurea [Lam.]D.C.

~Limodorum verecundum Salisb. - See B. purpurea [Lam.]D.C.

~Lindblomia Fries - See Habenaria Willd. SUBFAMILY Orchidoideae, TRIBE Orchideae, SUBTRIBE Orchidinae.

~Lindleyella Schlecter - See Bifrenaria Lindley or Rudolfiella HoehneSUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Maxillarieae, SUBTRIBE Zygopetalinae.

~Lindleyella auriantiaca [Linldey]Schlecter - See Rudolfiella auriantiaca [Lindley]Hoehne

~Linsayella Ames & Schweinf. - See Sobralia Ruiz & PavonSUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Arethuseae, SUBTRIBE Sobraliinae.

Liparis L.C.Rich SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Malaxideae.

This is a large genus of over 250 mostly terrestrial species widespread in both the temperate and tropical areas of the world.

1. Liparis cordifolia Hooker F.
Photo Courtesy Of Dale and Deni Borders
2. Liparis latifolia [Blume] Lindl.

This cute epiphyte is from lowlands, hillforest and lower montane forests from 400-1500m elevation and is found from Sabah,Chian [Hainan], penisular Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, Timor and New Guinea. It blooms in the spring and likes semi- shade and warm temperatures.

3. Liparis loeselii  (Linne) L.C.M. Richard 
Photo courtesy of T. H. Pain and His Orchids of France and Europe

Found in all of Europe except Portugal and the Balkans as an intermediate to coll growing terrestrial orchid that bloomsw in the late spring and early summer.

~Liparis robusta Hkr.f. - See L. latifolia [Bl.]Lindley

~Liparis scortechinii Hkr.f. - See L. latifolia [Bl.]Lindley

~Lissochilus R. Br. - See Eulophia R. Br.SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Cymbideae, SUBTRIBE Cyrtopodinae.

~Lissochilus krebsii Rchb.f - See Eulophia streptopetala Lindley

~Lissochilus streptopetalus [Lindley]Lindley - See Eulophia streptopetala Lindley

Listera R. Br.SUBFAMILY oideae, TRIBE eae, SUBTRIBE Listerinae.

1. Listera australis Lindl.
Photo Courtesy Of Walter Mays

This species is from the Eastern and Southern US and Eastern Canada and is found in bogs and swamps and is commonly called the Southern Twayblade.

2. Listera cordata (L.) R. Br.
Photo Courtesy Of Thomas Kornack

A North American terestrial found in wet mountainous forests or pine bogs and blooms in the summer and early fall. It's common name is the Heart Leafed Twayblade.

~Listera multinerva Petermann - See Listera ovata  (Linne) R. Brown

3. Listera ovata  (Linne) R. Brown
Photo courtesy of Pascal Pernot and His Orchids of France and Europe

Found in all of Europe and Turkey as a cool to intermediate growing terrestrial that blooms in the spring and early summer.

4. Listera smallii Wiegand
Photo Courtesy Of Walter Mays

Listrostachys Rchb.fSUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Vandeae, SUBTRIBE Aerangidinae.

Two or three species make up this small Central and West African epiphytic monopodial species.

~*Listrostachys dactyloceras Rchb.f - See Podangis dactyloceras [Rchb.f] Schlecter

~Listrostachys forcipata Krzl. - See Podangis dactyloceras [Rchb.f] Schlecter

~*Listrostachys hamata Rolfe - See Cyrtorchis hamata [Rolfe]Schlecter

~Listrostachys pellucida [Lindley]Rchb.f - See Diapananthe pellucida [Lindley] Schlecter

Lockhartia Hooker SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Pachyphylleae, SUBTRIBE Lockhartiinae.

There are 25 species spread throughout tropical America, it was first described by Sir William Hooker in 1827 and his type species was Lockhartia elegans. One of the easier genera to identify from it's pseudobulbs shape, which is like a pendant, braided, flat belt with flowers arising from along the flattened sheaths. The flowers have sepals and petals free and spreading, the lip is also free with a callus at the base and it has a short winged column with no foot and an apical anther with 2 hard pollina attached to a stipe which in turn is connected to a viscidium. They grow in wet forests from sealevel to 1000 meters and enjoy an intermediate environment with steady water and fertilizer while growing and less as the autumn begins, start anew with the appearance af a new growth in the spring. They are best potted with tree fern chunks packed into a small pot to anchor a newly cut psuedobulb which will produce roots if kept warm and humid but no wet.

~Lockhartia lamellosa Rchb.f - L. oerstedii Rchb.f

1. Lockhartia lunifera (Lindl.) Rchb. f.
Photo Courtesy Of Dale and Deni Borders

A Brazilian, epiphyte, medium to small, psuedobulbless plant with stems that are very close together for a length of 4 to 12", and they have very numerous triangular leaves that are bilaterally compressed, densly imbricate and about 1/2" long alternately arranged along the stem. The axillary curved flower stalks spring from the apical portion of the stem and have several flowers and are subtended by a concave bract. Thay bloom in the spring and summer and are very long lasting.

2. Lockhartia oerstedii Rchb.f

It is found from Mexico to Panama as an epiphyte found in dense jungles up to 2600 meters in elevation and has a long zigzag psuedobulb shape and needs more shade and water while growing but always keep damp.

~Lockhartia robusta [Batem.]Schlecter - See L. oerstedii Rchb.f

3. Lockhartia serra Rchb.f
Photo courtesy of Carlos Hajek and his Peruvian Orchid Page

A species from the lower altitudes of Peru and Ecuador.

~Lockhartia verrucosa Rchb.f - See L. oerstedii Rchb.f

~Lophiaris Raf. - See Oncidium Sw. SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Oncideae

~Loroglossum L.C.Rich - See Himantoglossum Koch SUBFAMILY Orchidoideae, TRIBE Orchideae SUBTRIBE Orchidinae

~Loroglossum anthropophorum (L.) Rich. - See Aceras anthropophora [L]R. Br.

~Loroglossum hircinum L.C.Rich - See Himantoglossum hircinum [L.]Spreng

~Loroglossum longibracteum (Bivona) Mori - See Barlia robertiana  (Loiseleur) W. Greuter

Ludisia A. Rich. SUBFAMILY Spiranthoideae, TRIBE Erythrodeae SUBTRIBE Goodyerinae

This is a monotypic genus that is quite variable and is found in S.E. Asia and China. It is a terrestrial that needs shady humid conditions and an even watering and fertilizing schedule. They make good house plants and can be easily grown by the novice. Pieces of the fleshy psuedobulbs can be stuck in dirt or in a glass jar with water and roots will appear in a few weeks. Thsy grow best in a hanging pot with a well draining dirt mixture. They are grown more for the color of the leaves than the blooms, but a lage plant in flower is an impressive site.

1. Ludisia discolor [Ker-Gawl.]A. Rich.
Photo courtesy of Allen Black

From India to Indonesia and S. E. Asia is the home of this 'jewel orchid', so called because of their dark green leaves criscrossed with red lateral lines, that makes them quite appealing even when not in bloom, which is interesting but not fantastic. This species is a terrestrial plant without psuedobulbs, the fleshy red stems twisted, erect or pendulous are 8 to 10" long and have stalked elliptic-lanceolate 2 to 3" leaves and a terminal cylindrical fairly dense 4 to 12" inflorescence that has small asymetrical non-fragrant flowers that last 2 to 3 weeks. They can be potted with 50%potting soil and 50%tree bark, given deep shade and humid well watered conditions year round. If the leaves lose the dark green and a lot of pale red is visible they are getting too much light.

~Ludisia fuertii Blume - See L. discolor [Ker-Gawl.]A. Rich

Lycaste Lindley SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Maxillarieae, SUBTRIBE Zygopetalinae.

This genus has epiphytes, lithophytes and terrestrials in it's 25 species that are spread throughout Central America, the West Indies and South America south to Peru and Bolivia. They have plicate, deciduous leaves with short thick psuedobulbs, a lateral inflorescence with more than one arising from the base of the psuedobulb with a single flower in most species. The flowers are large, often fragrant,with subequal spreading sepals and petals, a three lobed lip and a column that is wingless or narrowly 2 winged, has a basal foot,2 to 4 pollina with 2 very short to elongate stipites. Humid, shady conditions are required with water and fertilizer as the plant is growing and as the leaves begin to yellow and fall the water needs to be reduced along with a drop in temperatures to assure a good blooming.

~Lycaste alba Cockerell - See L. skinneri Lindley

1. Lycaste aromatica [Hooker] Lindley

An intermediate grower from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, smells of cinnamon, native to north Central America where it blooms in late spring-summer along with the onset of new growth and there may be up to 10 spikes per psuedobulb. They are a deciduous plant so as the leaves brown up to fall it is time to give less water. It is a lithophytic grower found on damp limestone cliffs or epiphytically on mossy trees in moist cool woodlands between 3000 and 5000 feet.

~Lycaste chrysoptera Morr. - See L. deppei [Lodd.]Lindley

~Lycaste colleyi [Lindley] Hort. ex Planchon - See Batemannia colleyi Lindley

~Lycaste consobrina Rchb.f - See L. aromatica [Graham]Lindley

~Lycaste cristata [Lindley]Benth. - See Paphinia cristata [Lindley]Lindley

2. Lycaste deppei [Lodd.]Lindley
Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders.

This is a Mexican or Guatemalan species that is found on trees and rocks in humid forests at elevations up to 1700 meters and is an intermediate plant that is an epiphyte or a lithophyte. They have very fragrant flowers in the spring as the new growths arise and they are deciduous, so as the leaves brown to fall off they should be kept cooler and dry until the new growths arise in the spring.

~Lycaste gigantea Lindley - See L. longipeatala[Ruiz & Pavon] Garay

~Lycaste grandiflora [H.B.K.] Beer - See Maxillaria grandiflora [H.B.K.]Lindley

~Lycaste harrisoniae {Hkr.]D.Don - See Bifrenaria harrisoniae [Hooker]Rchb.f

~Lycaste harrisoniae [Hooker] B.S. Wms. - See Bifrenaria harrisoniae [Hooker]Rchb.f

~Lycaste jamesiana hort. - See L. skinneri Lindley

~Lycaste jugosa [Lindley]Nichols - See Pabstia jugosa [Lindley]Garay

~Lycaste leiantha Beer - See L. deppei [Lodd.]Lindley

3. Lycaste longipetala [Ruiz & Pavon] Garay
Photo courtesy of Carlos Hajek and his Peruvian Orchid PageA Peruvian species.
4. Lycaste leucantha Lindl.
Plant grown by Marius Wasbauer, Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders.

This is a Guatemalan species.

5. Lycaste skinneri [Batem. ex Lindley] Lindley
Photo courtesy ofGreg and Kerri Steenbeeke and their Orkology Kreations Website

This is a cool to intermediate plant from altitudes up to 1800 meters that has deciduous leaves, that fall in the autumn, from that time on the plant needs no water or fertilizer and should only be resumed with the emergence of the new growth and flowering in the early spring. This orchid is the national flower of Guatemala where it is known by the common name 'Monja Blanca' or white nun orchid.

~Lycaste suaveolens Summerhayes - See L. aromatica [Hooker]Lindley

~Lycaste virginalis [Scheidw.]Lindley - See L. skinneri [Batem. ex Lindley] Lindley

~Lyraea Lindl. - See Bulbophylum Thouars SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Dendrobieae, SUBTRIBE Bulbophyllinae.

~Lysias Salisb. - See Habenaria Willd. SUBFAMILY Orchidoideae, TRIBE Orchideae, SUBTRIBE Orchidinae.

~Lysimnia Raf. - See Brassavola R. Brown SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Epidendreae, SUBTRIBE Laeliinae.

Alphabetical search! Use your back button to return.

A B C DE FG HIJK L MN O P QR S TUVWXYZ Home