Two Laelias: harpophylla and kautskiana

[rbarata]

These two Laelias grow in the same habitat, sometimes in the same tree with the roots interwined.
I grow these two side by side too.

Some photos...

[estación seca]

Congratulations on a really nice flowering!

[isurus79]

Those look great! I can only imagine how difficult taxonomy for those must be considering their similarity in the same habitat.

[rbarata]

Thanks, ES!

Those look great! I can only imagine how difficult taxonomy for those must be considering their similarity in the same habitat.

Initially I believe there was some confusion looking only to the flowers (although kautsliana flowers are bigger and the spikes are much longer).
If one considers also the plant itself, the differences are obvious.

[camille1585]

Those are really nice looking, and nicely grown!

Is the one in front with the 4 spikes the kautsliana?

[rbarata]

No, the kautskiana is at the right side, one spike with two flowers.

[camille1585]

I had a 50% chance of guessing wrong! I thought I had it right since you said kautsliana spikes are longer, and the front plant seems to have longer spikes. Photos can be deceptive!

[rbarata]

Kautskiana's spikes are much longer (approx. 30 to 40 cm long) while harpophylla have, at most, 10 cm spikes. Harpophylla have long branches with a long leaf, as long as the branch. Those are not pbulbs, it means it isn't a drought tolerant plant.

Heres's some photos:

The kautskiana is a plany similar to a Cattleya:






The harpophylla looks more like a grass (the photo is not rotated, the plant grows naturally like this, with the branches hanging to the side.