Leptotes (orchid)

Leptotes is a genus of orchids formed by nine species of Brazil which exist in the dry jungles of South and Southeast, and also in Paraguay or Argentina. They are small epiphytic plants of caespitific growth, that sometimes resemble little Brassavola, as they share same type of thin terete leaves, however they are more closely related to Loefgrenianthus.

Some species of Leptotes are widely cultivaded and form showy displays when completely in bloom, yet the majority of species are not commonly found under cultivation, some are rare or even almost completely unknown. Five species have only been described after year 2000. They are not included among the orchids easiest to grow. Beside being cultivated for their ornamental value, there are records of eventual uses of the flowers and fruits of Leptotes bicolor as milk, ice cream, tea and candies aromatizers instead of Vanilla.