Laelia fidelensis - Orchid Board

Rick Barry · #1 09-03-2007, 02:44 PM

This is Laelia fidelensis, or at least it was when I purchased it. Now it is known as either Hadrolaelia or Sophronitis fidelensis. Anyway, it still looks the same.

Regards,
Rick

Rosim_in_BR · #2 09-03-2007, 04:01 PM

Very nice flower, Rick. Every time I see Laelia fidelensis I can't avoid thinking that we presently know this species by pure stroke of luck. All of the plants grown around the world came from a single plant found in nature (some say that two plants were found, but there's no confirmation of that, at least to my knowledge). People say that the original plant was found at the São Fidelis region in Rio de Janeiro (hence L. fidelensis). That region and everything around it has been scrutinized by a legion of orchid hunters and no other plant was ever found being in fact impossible to say where it once grew in nature. This was, for sure, an endemic species, native to a very restricted area. At first, it was thought to possibly be a hybrid because of its unique characteristics for a Brazilian Laelia, but then when the first plants of its selfing flowered exactly the same as their mother they proved Laelia fidelensis was a species by its own merits.

Toddybear · #3 09-03-2007, 06:17 PM

Never heard of this species...it sure is beautiful!

cb977 · #4 09-03-2007, 06:32 PM

Very nice, Rick

Thanks for sharing it with us

Tricho · #5 09-03-2007, 07:14 PM

Thansk for sharing Rick, a beauty!

Good story Mauro, keep up with it.

jim blanford · #6 09-03-2007, 09:48 PM

I have L. fidelensis X C. harrisoniae. What a great flower that is, have a look. Jim.

Rick Barry · #7 09-03-2007, 10:10 PM

Mauro,

Thanks for the interesting info. I hadn't heard that before. Sounds like Paph delenatii prior to its re-discovery. Is there any possibility that it might still be found in the wild?

Regards,
Rick

Rosim_in_BR · #8 09-04-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Barry

Is there any possibility that it might still be found in the wild?
Rick

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to shut that door Rick, as wild orchids can always surprise us. However, the State of Rio de Janeiro (not only the São Fidelis region) has successively been explored in search of this plant and nobody came out with the slightest indication of where the plant could be found. Not even a story, or a consistent clue. Every time explorers followed hints like 'I heard they say that a flower like this grew...' they ended up with nothing.
I believe that this species grew in a very small area that was destroyed to give place to human agro activities and that by pure chance one plant, the last of the species, was found and could be preserved.

Toddybear · #9 09-04-2007, 10:18 AM

Jim, that hybrid is stunning! Excellent pic too!