Laelia crispilabia var. albescens

[Rosim_in_BR]

Laelia crispilabia is the prototype of the rupicolous Laelias. It is extremely common at southeast of Belo Horizonte, the Capital of the Minas Gerais State in Brazil. The plant is relatively short - 4” high - with tall inflorescences. Years ago I was visiting some rupicolous Laelia habitats and near Belo Horizonte I stopped the car, started climbing the first hill at the road side and just a few minutes later there it was… hundreds and hundreds of this orchid! A fire had devoured one of the hillsides and many plants were severely burnt, but there were healthy sprouts on every plant I saw. It can resist fires, but not bad growing techniques!!!
This species is not variable having three or four known varieties – alba, coerulea and albescens. This albescens is sometimes called aurea because of the yellowish white the flowers have when they open (this is perfectly seen on the photos). Enjoy it!