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Laeliocattleya x elegans
A natural hybrid between Laelia purpurata and Cattleya guttata, or between L. purpurata and C. leopoldii. Both crosses occur naturally in the native habitat and both are called Laeliocattleya x elegans. As is typical of progeny involving L. purpurata, the variety of color patterns and hues is very broad.
Synonyms: Laelia elegans Rchb. f. 1855; Laelia turneri hort. ex Warner 1862
Derivation/Pronounced: LAY-lee-oh-cat-LAY-ahEL-eh-gahns
A concatenation of the genera names Laelia and Cattleya.
Plant: Unifoliate when young, to bifoliate when larger. Often produces two batches of new growths in one year and may bloom whenever the growths mature. See the illustrations below.
Flowers: The flowers are white to off-white with the forelobe of the lip veined in a frosty blue. The labellum disc varies from dark blue to dark lavender. See illustration.
Bloomtimes: From spring to fall. May bloom twice a year.
Habitat: Epiphytic.
Distribution: Southern Brazil.
Culture: Considered an easy plant, suitable for beginners. Bright light, with good humidity and excellent air circulation. Grow with other Cattleya.Lc. elegans is used in hybridizing to produce blue progeny. It's first major success was the cross with Cattleya Ariel coerulea to make Lc. Blue Boy.
Lc
x elegans 
Lc.
x elegans var. blenheimense
Lc.
x elegans var. wolstenholmiae
