Laelia purpurata var. roxo-violeta
 

Here is the violet-purple (roxo-violeta) variety of this fantastic species! There is a lot of confusion as to the correct naming of these caerulea varieties. Actually, names like ardosia, aço, werkhauseri, aço-quente have been freely used to designate no matter what bluish L. purpurata only to increase the mess with these designations.
For example, variety caerulea is commonly found inappropriately labeled 'Werkhauseri', a name that should only be used to designate the specific and very first clone found. It is also known as var. ardósia' (slate), which also is not appropriate. All of these are actually var. caerulea. The only true separate variety, for its singular blue hue, far different from that of var. caerulea, at least in my opinion, is the var. roxo-violeta. This latter is also known as 'aço', or still 'aço quente', in my opinion also inappropriate names. The differences between the two can easily be assessed in the second photo below.

Var. roxo-violeta:
Laelia purpurata Lindl. & Paxton - var. roxo-violeta on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Var. caerulea & roxo-violeta side by side:
Laelia purpurata Lindl. & Paxton - var. caerulea (L) & var. roxo-violeta (R) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

So Mauro, do you have a large family....I mean kids/SO? And more importantly, do you have a spare room for me until I can relocate? Looking at your flowers and some of the others from the San Palo area, I'm purchasing a ticket and moving! Just another beauty.....
thanks

This is one thats definitely on my wish list! I love how this is more wine or red based purple compared to blue based purple of Corula variations!!! Thank you for sharing, I :love: purpuratas!

As I use to say, come on over Howard! There's always room for another orchid lover!
Isn't this a fab species, Suzie?

wonderfull species and the difference is quite obvious. they are both wonderfull though

Thanks for the excellent fotos, Mauro!

Do you know of a written source which defines each of these Lp varieties? A CD works, also.

I transferred a pictorial from Carlos Gomes' web site onto MS Word about two years ago. It's helpful....

--Stitz--

Hi, Stitz
You must be talking about a proposal of classification he published on his site. It is helpful, yes, a worthy effort in trying to define varieties. It represents a little a localized vision 'purpurateiros' of Santa Catarina State have on the varieties.
But, I don't agree with that vision in many points. I think that the varieties must have a more scientific treatment. There, variety rosada is taken as if it were the type (which is a white flower with purple lip), as well as the alba which, in this species, is not a white flower as stated. Also a supposed semi-alba that does not exist (it is the type), ardósia (slate) that would actually be more appropriately called caerulea, argolão and anelata that are the same, and so on. But, it is helpful for many other varieties.
Good sources for L. purpurata and its varieties is 'Monografia da Laelia purpurata, suas Variedades e seus Híbridos' writen by Ferdinand J. Krackowizer in 1950, here in Brazil, which still is a great source to understand varieties in this species. But, I doubt this book can be found available. Anyway, at his time Krackowizer was a Cambridge International Board on Orchidology member, so who knows the University has it in the library? Another good source is 'Laelia Purpurata' by L. C. Menezes, Editora Expressão e Cultura, ISBN 85-208-0198-6. Hope this helps.

seeking purpurata,,,,
 

hi guys, niew here...
i had a purpurata for about five years. no bloom. nearly killed by too much sun. anyway, it finally bloome last june! one gorgeous fragretn flower. long slender white petals w ruffles, deep purple lip. i put it in our inside lobby for neighbors to enjoy. alas, after two weeks out, someone stole it. i'm still devistated and have been searching for a replacement but no luck on ebay. got a bark root in santa barbara and it died. does anyone know where i can get one? or perhaps a generous member would share a division? i think it might have been werkerhauseri....thanks!