Robust epiphyte. Pseudobulbs spindle-shaped, to 50 cm long, compressed. Leaves solitary, narrow-elliptic, to 40 cm long, to 5 cm wide. Flowers 3-7, to 25 cm wide, usually white tinged with pink; spring to summer. Sepals lanceolate, margins wavy. Petals lanceolate, somewhat wider than sepals, margins wavy. Labellum 3- lobed, side lobes embracing column, midlobe ovate to circular, throat yellow with purple veins.
Brazil.
L. lobata (Lindl.) Veitch from Brazil is a medium sized epilith with long, 1-leaved pseudobulbs and racemes of 2-5, mostly purplish flowers to 13 cm wide.
L. perrinii Bateman from Brazil is a medium sized epiphyte with long, 1-leaved pseudobulbs and racemes of 2?6, mostly pink or white flowers to 14 cm wide.
Source: (2005). Orchidaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press. (as Laelia purpurata)
