The
flowers of these orchids resemble those of
Laelia, but the main difference between these two genera lies in the vegetative part. These orchids occur exclusively in Eastern Brazil, often as
epiphytes. Some are
lithophytes, forming a thicket on the rocks. Others, as
Pseudolaelia vellozicola, are semi-epiphytes and can be found on mat-like communities of
Vellozia bushes on
inselbergs (dome-shaped granitic or gneissic rock outcrops) in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, requiring an adaptation to the extreme environmental conditions (dryness, isolation) The
rhizomes are extended. The
pseudobulbs are fusiform, cylindrical to conical, carrying three to eight
leaves. These are apical, deciduous, upright, leathery and pointy. The base of the leaves clasps the pseudobulb from the upper third till the apex. The inflorescence is a long
raceme, growing from the apex of the pseudobulb, with an undefined number of small white to pink flowers, opening in a consecutive manner clustered at the apex.
Pollination is performed by
hummingbirds,
butterflies,
dipterids and
hymenopterids. The flowers of
Pseudolaelia corcovadensis, being self-compatible, are also pollinated by deceit by the bee
Bombus (Fervidobombus) atratus by mimicking a generalized bee-attracting food-flower. However, these visits are rather rare == Species of
Pseudolaelia ==