Laelia is a small genus of 25 species from the orchid family (Orchidaceae). This is one of the most important and popular orchid genera, because of the beautiful flowers, their genetic properties and because they are fairly easy to cultivate. John Lindley did not specify his reasons for naming this orchid as he did; one possibility is that he named it after Laelia, one of the Vestal Virgins. Laelia is abbreviated L. in the horticultural trade Laelia species are found in the subtropical or temperate climate of Central America, but mostly in Mexico. Laelia speciosa is a high-elevation plant, preferring sunny, dry and cool conditions. The others grow in the rainforest with a warm, humid summer and a dry cool winter. The species L. albida, L. anceps and L. autumnalis prefer higher and cooler altitudes. Laelia is one of the orchid genera known to use crassulacean acid metabolism photosynthesis, [4] which reduces evapotranspiration during daylight because carbon dioxide is collected at night.
