ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM.
F I N E O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, Lindl.) pseudobulbis ovatis confertis diphyllis, foliis lato-lanceolatis
acutis scapo valido paniculato multifloro brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongo-ligulatis
acuminatis stellatis, labello a basi cordata ligulato acuminato, basin versus utrinque
angulato, ccterum bine illinc dcnticulato, callo depresso quadrilobulo nunc quadridentato
ante basin, columna clavata apiee utrinque cirrho setaceo medio inferne unidentato.
ODONTOGI.OSSUM GLORIOSUM. Reichenbach fit. Bonpl. ii. 278 ; idem in Gardeners' Chronicle (New Plants, n. 293, 1865), et in Walpers,
Annates, vi. fasc. 6.
Habitat in N. GRANADA, Soto. 8-9000 p., Schlim; Oennn, 6000 p., IFagener; Bogota, Weir.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS ovate, 2-leaved, growing closely together, 3 or 4 inches long, turning to a dart colour when old. LEAVES
broadly-lanceolate, acute, shorter than the stout much-branched many-Jlowered panicle. 1'LOWEES exceedingly variable
in size and form and colour; the example in the Plale representing one of the largest varieties, and the vignette one
of the least. Usually they are about 2 inches across, of a pale ochrish or greenish-yellow, blotched, or sometimes
minutely spoiled, with dark-chestnut. SEPALS and PETALS nearly equal, lanceolate, acute (often narrower than in the
figure), slightly waved. LIP ligulatc, smooth (not crisp) at the margin, very much attenuated in front, but heartshaped
at the base, towards which it is abruptly carinate, and furnished with 2 upright large sharp double teeth.
COLUMN- clarate, with hairy cirrhi on cither side near its apex, and a solitary tooth near the middle.
This remarkable Odontoglossum was long since discovered in New Granada by Schlim and Wagener, in whose
herbaria its stately many-flowered panicles formed so striking a feature that Professor Reichenbach did not hesitate to
give the plant the name of gloriosum ; an epithet which—now that we have the plant amongst us in a living statemay
perhaps be thought to be somewhat beyond its merits. It must indeed be admitted that the fresh blossoms, which
are of a Taint, yellowish green, scarcely realize the expectations which the rich colour and profusion of flowers in the
dried specimens had very naturally raised. Nor are all the varieties of equal merit, some being much smaller and paler
than others.
The species has lately been imported in large quantities, both by Messrs. H. Low and Co., of Clapton, and by the
Horticultural Society, who received it in 1864 from Mr. Weir, by whom it was gathered in the neighbourhood of
Bogotii. It flowers freely, and at all seasons of the year ; nor docs it appear to care so much as many of its congeners
for a few decrees more or less of heat or cold. I believe it has already bloomed in almost every collection of note;
though the spikes, as was of course to be expected, are as yet far from equal to the wild specimens* The figure was
* It mnv lie well once for nil, !o state tlint in the case of species tliat have not been long imported, and which havo therefore not had time
to acquire their full strength, the number and arrangement of flowers iu tho figures is taken from native specimens where such are available. It
sometimes happens that the "wild" standard is never reached in cultivation, hut it is more frequently exceeded.