Dwarf Laelia praestans

[Rosim_in_BR]

Laelia praestans Linden & Rchb.f. is a dwarf species that lives in the wild in the State of Espirito Santo in Brazil. Not higher than 12-13 cm, the 9-10 cm wide flowers can be considered huge compared to the plant. It was once considered a variety of Laelia pumila, but it is recognized as a valid species by its own merits since 1990. The trumpet-like lip with a characteristic curvature is distinctive of this species, as can be seen in the photo. Like Laelia pumila, the bud appears as the leaf unfolds, normally one, seldom two like in the plant shown below.