KATHERINEA A.D.Hawkes 1956

See Epigeneium

KEFERSTEINIA Rchb.f. 1852 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Maxillarieae Subtribe: Zygopetilinae Alliance: Bollea	(Kefst.) Named in honor of Herr Keferstein, a 19th century German orchid grower. There are about 36 mostly epiphytic and a few terrestrial species in this genus distributed in wet forests from Mexico to Bolivia. They grow in abundance in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador.
	SPECIES alba aurorae bengasahra costaricensis escobariana gemma graminea heideri lactea microcharis mysticina ocellata perlonga tolimensis villenae wercklei

KINETOCHILUS (Schltr.) Brieger 1981

See Dendrobium

KIONOPHYTON Garay 1982

See Stenorrhynchos

KEGELIA Rchb.f. 1852

See Kegeliella

KEGELIELLA Mansf. 1934 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Cymbidieae Subtribe: Stanhopeinae SYNONYMS Kegelia	(None) Diminutive of Kegelia (already used to name another genus) a name proposed by Rchb.f. in honor of Herr Kegel, a 19 century German botanist. There are about only four epiphytic species in this genus distributed in wet cloud forests from Nicatagua to Venezuela.
	SPECIES atropilosa houtteana kupperi orientalis

KINGIDIUM P.F.Hunt 1950 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Vandeae Subtribe: Sarcanthinae SYNONYMS Kingiella

(None) Named in honor of Sir George King. There are about five epiphytic species in this genus distributed throughout tropical Asia. Species resemble Phalaenopsis but differ because the flowers have a saccate (a conspicuous hollow swelling) lip Two of the species, K. taenialis and K. decumbens (also known as K. deliciosum.) were once in the genus Kingiella and are still use the old names for registration purposes. Photo courtesy of Jay's Key West Orchid

SPECIES braceanum deliciosa decumbens hookerianum taenialis

KINGIELLA Rolfe 1917

See Kingidium

KOELLENSTEINIA Rchb.f. 1854 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Maxillarieae Subtribe: Zygopetilinae	(None) Named in honor of Kellner von Kollenstein, a 19th century Austrian sea captain. Common name: "Grass-Leaf Orchid" There are about twenty species in this genus. They grow as terrestrials the very wet cloud forests and as epiphytes in lowland forests from Panama to Bolivia and Brazil. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids
	SPECIES abaetana altissima boliviensis brachystalix carraoensis colnagoi eburnea elegantula florida graminea ionoptera lineata peruviana roraimae spiralis tricolor

KOCHIOPHYTON Schltr. ex Cogn. 1906

See Aganisia

KRAENZLINELLA Kuntze 1904

See Pleurothallis

KRYPTOSTOMA (Summerh.) Geerinck 1982

See Habenaria

The Orchid Lady's Illustrated Orchid Encyclopedia
Alphabetical Listing - L -

LACAENA Lindl. 1843 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Cymbidieae Subtribe: Stanhopeinae SYNONYMS Nauenia	(None) Gr. Lakaina; alluding to the beauty of Helen of Troy. There are about four epiphytic species in this genus distributed in lower montane forests from Mexico to Panama. Species produce large white or yellow flowers. Genus is closely allied to Acineta
	SPECIES bicolor grandis nicaraguensis spectabilis

LAELIA Lindl. 1831 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Epidendreae Subtribe: Laeliinae Alliance: Cattleya SYNONYMS Amalia

(L.) Named for Laelia, one of the vestal virgins, or, for the Roman name Laelius. There are at least 60 epiphytic species in the genus distributed widely from the West Indies to Mexico, Central America, and Brazil. Species produce a wide range of flower colors on erect or pendent racemes. To aid in organization of the genus, Schlechter divided genus Laelia into seven subsections: Cattleyodes Species resembling Cattleya but have 8 pollina such as L. purpurata Hadrolaelia Species that have lips with distinctive crests and keels and heteroblastic psuedobulbs such as L. pumila Laelia Species that have homoblastic psuedobulbs such as L. speciosa Microlaelia Species that have equal-sized sepals and petals such as L. lundii Cyrtolaelia Species that have a narrow lip and are lithophytic in nature such as L. cinnabarina Podolaelia Species that have an articulated stem and flowers produced in sheaths such as L. anceps Calolaelia Identified a single single species, L. superbiens, which has since been reclassified to genus Schomburgkia A popular genus among collectors, many species of this genus are also extensively used in cross generic hybridization particulary in combination with genera Bletia and Cattleya Photos courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids

SPECIES (this is not a complete list) anceps autumnalis barkeriana briegeri cardimii cinnabarina crispa dayana elegans fidelensis flava furfuracea gardneri goebeliana inconspicua jongheana liliputana lobata longipes lucasiana lundii milleri peerinii pumila purpurata rubescens sawyeri sincorana speciosa tenebrosa undulata wendlandi

LAELIOPSIS Lindl. & Paxton 1852-53 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Epidendreae Subtribe: Laeliinae	(Lps.) Common name: "King Orchid" There is only one epiphytic species, L. domingensis, in this genus distributed in Cuba and the West Indies. L. domingensis produces very showy flowers and is used in hybridization to propagate the characteristic. L. domingensis is allied to Broughtonia.
	SPECIES domingensis

LANKESTERELLA Ames 1923 Subfamily: Spiranthoideae Tribe: Cranichideae Subtribe: Spiranthinae

(None) Named in honor of Charles Lankester, an English horticulturist in Costa Rica. There are about twenty epiphytic species in this genus distributed primarily in the wet forests of Brazil with some species also found in Costa Rica and Bloivia. These are all tiny plants with a basal rosette of leaves. Species are closely allied to Eurystyles. Some authors consider species in genus Lankesterella to be a synonym of Stenorrhynchos or Spiranthes therefore you may find Lankesterella species listed in those genera. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids

SPECIES alainii caespitosa ceracifolia costaricensis epiphyta gnomus hoehnei longicollis maior mentiens oligantha orthantha parvula pilosa salehi spannageliana

LARNANDRA Raf. 1825

See Epidendrum

LATHRISIA Sw. 1829

See Bartholina

LATOUREA Blume 1849

See Dendrobium

LATOURORCHIS Brieger 1981

is a replaced synonym of Latourea, Benth. & Hook.f., 1883 See Dendrobium

LECANORCHIS Blume 1856 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Vanilleae Subtribe: Lecanorchidinae	(None) Gr. lekane,basin; orchis,testicle There are about twenty leafless saprophyte  terrestrial species in this genus distributed in Japan, Malaysia, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Species have small dull brown flowers with a lighter coloured lip.
	SPECIES brachycarpa cerina flavicans japonica javanica malaccensis neglecta papuana ridleyana sikkimensis triloba virella

LEMBOGLOSSUM Halb. 1984 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Cymbidieae Subtribe: Oncidiinae SYNONYMS Cymbiglossum

(None) Gr. leios,smooth; cheilos,lip; alluding to the smooth lip. There are about 15 epiphytic species in this genus distributed from Mexico to Central America. In 1984, Halbinger moved fourteen species from the genus Odontoglossum to create this genus. Since then, more species have been relocated from other genera including some from Cymbiglossum, which is considered by some to be a synonym of Lemboglossum. The Odontoglossum species that were moved still retain their original Odontoglossum name for registration of hybrids. I know, it can get real confusing...

SPECIES apterum bictoniense cervantesii cordatum pulchellum ehrenbergii galeottianum hortensiae maculatum madrense majale rossii stellatum uroskinneri

LEMURANTHE Schltr. 1924

See Cynorkis

LEOPARDANTHUS Blume 1848

See Dipodium

LEAOA Schltr. & Porto 1922

See Hexadesmia

LEDGERIA F.Muell. 1859

See Galeola

LEOCHILUS Knowles & Westc. 1938 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Cymbidieae Subtribe: Oncidiinae SYNONYMS Cryptosanus Rhynchostele Waluewa	(Lchs.) Gr. leios,smooth; cheilos,lip; alluding to the smooth surface of the lip. Common name: "Smooth-Lip Orchid" There are about thirty epiphytic species in this genus distributed throughout lowland tropical America from Mexico and the West Indies to Argentina often growing in guava and orange trees. Allied to genus Oncidium.
	SPECIES ampliflorus diaphanus gracilis herbaceus johnstonii labiatus oncidioides puertoricensis radiatus scriptus tricuspidatus tunguraguae

LEPANTHES Sw. 1799 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Epidendreae Subtribe: Pleurothallidinae	(Lths.) Gr. lepanthos; a scale-like flower Common name: "Babyboot Orchid" This is a HUGE genus with over 800 mostly dwarf epiphytic species distributed in tropical forests from Mexico to Brazil. Species generally have small colorful flowers the details of which require a magnifying glass to appreciate.
	SPECIES aciculifolia acuminata benzingii bilabiata calopetala calodictyon chiriquiensis dalessandroi diabolica elaeanorae escobariana exaltata felis gargantua gemmula hamiltonii infundibulum lindleyana pulchella zongoensis

LEPANTHOPSIS Ames 1933 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Epidendreae Subtribe: Pleurothallidinae	(Lpths.) Gr. lepanthopsis, like genus Lepanthes Common name: "Tiny Orchid" There are about 25 epiphytic species in this genus distributed from Florida to Mexico, West Indies, Peru and Brazil.
	SPECIES acetabulum astrophora barahonensis cucullata domingensis floripecten fuertesii haitiensis melanantha peniculus quisqueyana steyermarkii

LEPERVENCHEA Cordem. 1899

See Angraecum

LEPTOCENTRUM Schltr. 1914

See Rangaeris

LEPTOCERAS Lindl. 1839

See Caladenia

LEPTORKIS Thouars 1809

See Liparis

LEPTOTES Lindl. 1833 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Epidendreae Subtribe: Laeliinae Alliance: Leptotes	(Lpt.) Gr. leptotes,delicateness; alluding to the delicate leaves of most species There are about ten epiphytic species in this genus distributed in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Flowers have a wide variation in structure and shape. Genus Tetramicra is considered to be a synonym of Leptotes by some authors. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids
	SPECIES bicolor grinbergii minuta mogyensis paranaensis pauloensis serrulata tenuis unicolor

LEQUEETIA Bubani 1901

See Limodorum

LEUCOCHYLE Klotzsch 1854

See Trichopilia

LEUCOLENA Ridl. 1891

See Didymoplexis

LEUCORCHIS Blume 1849 E.Mey. 1839

See Didymoplexis, Pseudorchis, or Habenaria

LEUCOSTACHYS Hoffmanns. 1842

See Goodyera

LIMATODES (Limatodis) Blume 1825

See Calanthe

LIMATODIS Blume 1825

See Phaius

LIMNORCHIS Rydb. 1900

See Platanthera

LIMODORUM Boehm. 1760 Subfamily: _ Tribe: _ Subtribe: _ SYNONYMS Ionorchis Lequeetia	(None) There are about 50 attractive species in this genus distributed in central and southern Europe. Species typically grow over two feet tall and develop mostly violet-purple flowers.
	SPECIES abortivum autumnale barbatum brulloi cristatum cucullatum emarginatum falcatum giganteum imbricatum latifolium purpureum spicatum tancarvilleae trabutianum veratrifolium

LINDBLOMIA Fr. 1843

See Coeloglossum

LINDLEYELLA Schltr. 1914

illegitimate later homonym See Rudolfiella

LINDSAYELLA Ames & C.Schweinf. 1937

See Sobralia

LIPARIS Rich. 1818 Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Malaxideae Subtribe: N/A SYNONYMS Alipsa Anistylis Apation Cestichis Distichis Diteilis Empusa Empusaria Gastroglottis Iebine Leptorkis Mesoptera Paliris Platystylis Stichorkis Sturmia

(None) Gr. liparos,shiny or greasy; alluding to the smooth glossy sheen of the leaves. Common name: "Wide-Lip Orchid" There are about 250 (some authors claim there are over 350) mostly terrestrial species with a few lithophytic and even fewer epiphytic species in this large genus. They have broad distribution throughout the world mostly in tropical regions with some species also found in more temperate zones of China, Japan, and North America. Species generally produce small flowers in green, yellow-green, dull orange, or purple colors. The genus has been organized into four subgenera and eight sections.

SPECIES amboinensis androchilus angustifolia atacorensis beckeri bicallosa bracteata campestris cardiophylla colombiana dolabella elata elliptica fantastica fendleri gracilis habenarina japonica kumokiri liliifolia loeselii mowbulana nervosa otophyllon paradoxa reflexa stricta swenssonii vexillifera viridiflora wendlandi zosterops

LISSOCHILUS R.Br. 1821

Synonym Hypodematium, See Eulophia

LISTERA R.Br. 1813 Subfamily: Orchidoideae Tribe: Neottieae Subtribe: Listerinae SYNONYMS Bifolium Cardiophyllum Diphryllum Distomaea Pollinirhiza

(None) Named in honor of M. Lister, an English scientist. Common name: "Twayblade Orchid" There are about thirty mostly dwarf terrestrial species in this genus distributed widely throughout the temperate and colder regions of North America and Asia with two species also found in Europe. L. ovata is considered to be the most common species in Europe. North American species are commonly found in outdoor gardens in the United States. Photos courtesy of Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison

SPECIES australis auriculata brevidens convallarioides cordata grandiflora kashmiriana mucronata nepalensis ovata pinetorum puberula reniformis smallii yueana wardii

LOBOGYNE Schltr. 1900

See Appendicula

LOCKHARTIA Hook. 1827 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Cymbidieae Subtribe: Oncidiinae Alliance: Lockhartia	(Lhta.) Named in honor of David Lockhart, the first Superintendent of The Royal Botanic Gardens in Trinidad during the 18th century. Common name: "Braided Orchid" There are about forty epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the dry or wet forests throughout tropical America.
	SPECIES acuta amoena bennettii biserra chiriquiensis chocoensis dipleura elegans genegeorgei hercodonta hologlossa imbricata integra lankesteri latilabris longifolia obtusata oerstedii pittieri robusta schunkei serra triangulabia tuberculata unicornis variabilis verrucosa weigelti

LONCHITIS Bubani 1901

illegitimate later homonym See Serapias

LOPHOGLOTTIS Raf. 1836

See Sophronitis

LOPHIARIS Raf. 1836

See Oncidium

LOROGLOSSUM Rich. 1818

See Himantoglossum

LOTHIANIA (Lothoniana) Kraenzl. 1924

See Porroglossum

LUDISIA A.Rich. 1825 Subfamily: Spiranthoideae Tribe: Erythrodeae Subtribe: Goodyerinae Alliance: Goodyera SYNONYMS Haemaria Myoda

(None) Origin of name unknown. Common name: "Jewel Orchid" (Two other genera, Anoectochilus and Macodes, possess variegated foliage and are also called "Jewel Orchids") There is only one terrestrial species, Ludisia discolor, in this genus distributed from northeast India throughout southeast Asia and into Indonesia. Species is noted more for its soft, velvet deep red leaves with golden veins than for its small white flowers. Cultivation is very easy, thriving on standard house plant care. A bit of history: L. discolor was first described in 1818 by John der-Gawler in the Botanical Register as Goodyera discolor based on a plant thought to come from Brazil. Achille Richard transferred it to the genus Ludisia in 1825 in Dictionnaire Classique d'Histoire Naturelle. Unfortunately, John Lindley was either unaware or ignored Richard's generic name when he transferred this species (which he correctly considered to be Asiatic) to Haemaria in 1840 in his Genera and Species of Orcidaceous Plants. Recently, P.F. Hunt has discussed the nomenclature of this species in the Kew Bulletin (1970) and concluded that the name Ludisia discolor is the correct for this species.

SPECIES discolor(jewel orchid)

LUEDDEMANNIA Rchb.f. 1854 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Cymbidieae Subtribe: Stanhopeinae	(None) Named in honor of Herr Luddemann, a friend of Linden and Reichenbach. There is only one very rare epiphytic species, L. pescatorei, in this genus distributed in wet forests from Venezuela to Peru. Yellow-orange flowers are produced on a very long, 7-foot pendent inflorescence.
	SPECIES pescatorei

LUERELLA Braas 1979

See Masdevallia

LUISIA Gaudich. 1826 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Vandeae Subtribe: Sarcanthinae Alliance: Vanda SYNONYMS Birchea Mesoclastes

(Lsa.) Named in honor of 19th century Portuguese botanist Don Luis de Torre Common name: "Bee Orchid" There are about forty monopodial  epiphytic species in this genus distributed from India to trapical Asia, New Guinea, and many Pacific Islands. Species produce an inflorescence bearing white to green colored flowers with all having dark-colored, velvety lips. The flowers open singly in succession over several days.

SPECIES amesiana boninensis curtisii hancockii inconspicua jonesii megasepala psyche teres teretifolia volucris zollingeri

LYCASTE Lindl. 1843 Subfamily: Vandoideae Tribe: Maxillarieae Subtribe: Lycastinae SYNONYMS Deppia

(Lyc.) Named ub honor of Lycaste, sister of Helen of Troy Common name: "Bee Orchid" There are about 45 epiphytic and lithophytic species and about twelve subspecies, Lycaste macrophylla, in this genus distributed from Mexico to Peru and one species found in the Caribbean Islands as well as one in the Perlas Archipelago off Panama. Species produce flowers in yellow, pink, green, orange, white, brown, spotted, and bicolor variations. Petals are typically relatively small compared to the contrasting sepals. First introduced to cultivation in the 1790's.

SPECIES aromatica bradeorum brevispatha campbellii candida ciliata colombiana consobrina crinita cruenta denningiana deppei diastasia dowiana dyeriana farinosa fimbriata grandis harrisoniae hirtzii lanipes lasioglossa leucantha macrobulbon neglecta powellii rossyi skinneri tricolor trifoliata virginalis xytriophora

LYPERANTHUS R.Br. 1810 Subfamily: Orchidoideae Tribe: Diurideae Subtribe: Caladeniinae SYNONYMS Fitzgeraldia	(None) Gr. lyperos,sad, mournful; anthos,flower There are about four deciduous  terrestrial species in this genus all distributed in Australia. Species in this genus that are found in New Zealand and New Caledonia, were reclassified to other genera. Two of the species grow low to the ground and only flower after fires.
	SPECIES nigricans serratus suaveolens rotundifolia

LYRAEA Lindl. 1830

See Bulbophyllum

LYROGLOSSA Schltr. 1920

See Stenorrhynchos

LYSIAS Salisb. ex Rydb. 1812

See Platanthera or Habenaria

LYSIELLA Rydb. 1900

See Platanthera

LYSIMNIA Raf. 1836

See Brassavola

Linda's Orchid Page - http://orchidlady.com
The Orchid Lady's Orchid Encyclopedia
Copyright © 1996-2002 Linda Fortner. All rights reserved.
Contents may not be copied or reproduced without prior permission.