These species with curled segments used to be classified in a separate genus, Schomburgkia, but were sunk down the genus Laelia following the researches on the Laeliinae.
The species in the photos has been, by its turn, subject to some discussion over the years as to whether it is a true separate species or simply a variation of Laelia gloriosa (former Schomburgkia gloriosa, or crispa), to which it is very similar. The yellow band present in the floral segments is seen as enough to separate it by some taxonomists and not enough by others.
The plant is robust and large, but the floral stem not as long as some others in the genus which stems may reach several feet long.