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Laelia briegeri
Laelia briegeri is probably the showiest yellow-flowered rupiculous Laelia species.
It is also one of the easiest to grow, considering it is one of the warmest growing in the group. In the habitat,
plants are easily spotted on the roadside, as the main habitat are the flat ledges that are typical for the southeast
of Diamantina. These ledges are very easy to walk on, making Laelia briegeri
a very desirable subject for photographs in the blooming season (it also helps the fact that the species is abundant
throughout its habitat). The climate is this region has a marked dry season, so plants are very well adapted to
this protecting their roots and rhizomes in ways they always have some moisture available. The species produces
medium-sized plants (usually about 5" to 8" tall) that are quite robust. Flowers are produced 3-6 (rarely
more) on fairly long (more than 1' tall) flower spikes, and are about 2" across and usually very well-shaped.
Laelia briegeri has been used extensively in hybridizing, and the only drawback
in using the species seems to be that the inflorescences are usually not very strong, having to be staked. The
bright yellow is passes on, and several of the hybrids show interesting "flares" on the segments.
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Distribution Map for Laelia briegeri.
As is common for the Parviflorae, the species has a fairly limited distribution area (mind
you, limited distribution in relation to the vastness of the region), to the southeast of Diamantina. Habitat altitude
varies from 800 to 1100 meters (about 2700 to 3600 ft.)
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On 1, we see Laelia briegeri under normal circumstances in the habitat. Plants are usually (but not always) a bit protected
from direct sunlight, and especially rhizomes and roots are covered by sand or gravel or protected by mosses or
small shrubs. This allow the plants to never have their root systems completely dried out and this is the key for
their survival on these areas that get extremely dry in the Fall and Winter. This one is growing among Vellozia shrubs.
On 2, we see a very good quality flower of Laelia briegeri.
These flowers are usually completely yellow with red markings on the keels (that can't be seen without opening
the lip sidelobes). There are, however, flowers with brownish or reddish markings on the segments (as "flares"
or "splashes"). |
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