After Laelia, one of the Vestal Virgins.
Epiphytic, epilithic or terrestrial herbs, sympodial, with creeping rhizomes. Stems thickened into variously shaped pseudobulbs, sometimes cane-like, with papery basal bracts. Leaves apical, 1-several, fleshy or leathery, linear to ovate, stalkless. Inflorescences usually terminal racemes or panicles, erect or pendent. Flowers often resupinate, 1-many, small to large, variously coloured. Sepals similar, free, spreading. Petals similar to sepals but usually longer or shorter and often wider, free. Labellum 3- lobed, free or partly fused to column, side lobes usually embracing column. Column long, often 2- winged, usually toothed at tip. Pollinia 8, in 2 bundles of 4, waxy.
About 80 species from the West Indies, C and S America.
Similar to Cattleya but with 8 pollinia rather than 4.
Withner (1990).
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.