ODONTOGLOSSUM A L E X A N D R A.
P R I N C E S S O F W A L E S ' O D O N T O G L O S S U M ( B L U N T S V A R I E T Y ).
O. (ISANTHIUM, Lindl.) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis 1- vel 2-phyllis, racemo simplici
multifloro foliis subajquali, bracteis minoribus coclileatis acutis, floribus membranaceis
pedicellis aequantibus, sepalis petalisque ssepius subtequalibus (interdum petalis multo
latioribus), sepalis lanceolatis acurainatis petalis ovato-lanceolatis acutis uudulato-laceris,
labcllo brcviorc unguicidato forma diversissima. nunc sepalis conformi nunc subpanduriformi,
apice emarginato (srcpius mucronc adjecto) margine undulato integro vel saepius
dentato acuto apice recurvo, disco maculatOj crista simplici bilamellata. Columna arcuata
clavata, alata, alis laceris.
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRA, Bateman in Gardeners' Chronicle, 1861; el in Proceedings Ji. Ilort. Soc. p. 18G (1864).
ODONTOGLOSSUM BLUNTII, Eeiel,eniach fil.
Habitat in Nov. GRANADA, prope Pacho, 7-8000 p., Weir, Blunt.
DESCRIPTION.
An Epiphyte. PSEUDOBULBS smooth, slightly compressed, sometimes broadly ovate, but occasionally tapering, 2 to 3 inches
long, and bearing 1 or 2 linear lanceolate-pointed LEAVES, which are from a few inches to afoot long, and frequently
of rather lax character; a reddish tint is also sometimes met with both in the leaves and pseudobulbs. RACEMES
always simple, about the length of—sometimes longer thin—the leaves, and carrying from 'two or three to a dozen
or more large membranous and beautiful FLOWERS, which vary exceedingly both in size, form, and colouring. Usually
they are from 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and about equal to the pedicels. BRACTS about half an inch long, pointed,
fitting close to the stem. SEPALS lanceolate acuminate, white or rosy-white, with sometimes one or more broicn or
purple spots on each. PETALS usually—though not invariably—wider than the sepals, and resembling them inform
and colour, but destitute of spots; both in the sepals and petals the edges i e lljoe less curled or waved.
LIP recurved at the apex, exceedingly variable in its outline; in. some examples almost exactly resembling the sepah
in others taking more or less a pandunform shape (in which case the apex, instead of pointed, is round, emarginate,
with a point or macro); the edges too, which are sometimes entire, are much more frequently jagged or toothed; the
short unguis, or claw, is longitudinally callose; and where it expands into the disk, ends in two straight pointed and
diverging teeth, which, like the claw, are yellow, the rest of the lip being white, with or without spots of the same
character as those found in the sepals; there are a few red or brown lines which radiate or spread out like a fan on
either side of the teeth composing the crest, but they do not, as in 0. PESCATOBEI, form a detached flap. COLUMN
short, arched, club-shaped, with broad truncate wings that are more or less jagged or fringed.
This most charming Odontoglossum was discovered in 1SG3 by Mr. Weir, at an elevation of from 7000 to 8000
feet, in tho gloomy forests that clothe the slopes of the lofty mountain-ranges at the rear of the City of Santa Fe de
Bogota. As the wild specimens of the flowers that he sent home to the Horticultural Society indicated not only a
new species, but one of surpassing beauty, I did not hesitate at once to dedicate it to the illustrious Princess whose
name it will henceforth bear. Since the first description of the plant appeared in the 'Gardeners' Chroniclc' many
living plants have been received both by the Itoyal Horticultural Socicty and by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., of Clapton,
several of which have bloomed and, even in their first feeble attempts to flower, have more than justified the very high
expectations formed of the plant which, as it gathers strength, eannot fail to become an established favourite with all
Orchid-lovers.