ODONTOGLOSSUM MACULATUM.
S P O T T E D O D O N T O G L O S S U M .
O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis oblongis compressis monopliyllis, f'oliis oblongis nervosis
aeutiuseulis, racemis subpendulis multifloris brevioribus, bracteis navieularibus hcrbaceis
ovario brevioribus, sepalis lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis discoloribus, petalis oblongis undulatis
acuminatis, labello cordato acuminato subcrenato, appendice unguis bivalvi concava
cochleari apice libera bidcntata per medium argute serrulata, columna pubescente
subaptera. Lindl.
ODONTOGLOSSUM MACULATUM, Ltuie, Orch. Mex. 2, 35; Hot. Beg. 1840, t. 30; Pescatorca, t. 28; Lindl. Pol. Orch.
Habitat in MEXICO, Lexarza, Barker, Karwinski.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS narrow, oblong, much compressed, from 2 to '1 inches long,' 1-leaved. LEAVES lanceolate-oblong, nervose,
more or less sharp-pointed, shorter than the flower-scapes. BHACTS boat-shaped, acuminate, the lower ones shorter
than the upper ones, nearly as long as the ovary. RACEMES nodding,. sometimes pendulous, 5- to 12-flowered, about
afoot long. FLOWERS variable in size and colour, which is sometimes a brightish at other times only a greenishyellow,
spotted with brown. SEPALS brown inside, linear-lanceolate, acuminate. PETALS rather wide, oblong, waved,
acuminate. LIP heart-shaped, acuminate, slightly crenate, with a two-cleft process forming a pair of blunt teeth at
the upper end of the claw. COLUMN pubescent, clavate, wingless.
This plant is common in many parts of Mexico, especially on the Irapasan mountains in the neighbourhood of
Valladolid, where it was originally discovered and described by Lexarza, that earliest of Orchid-devotees 1 It was also
one of the earliest species of the extensive genus to which it belongs that ever produced flowers in England. The
credit of introducing it belongs to the late Mr. Barker, of Birmingham, with whom it bloomed about the year 1839,
but it soon disappeared, like nearly the whole of the invaluable collection of Mexican Orchids that I remember having
seen in the most splendid condition, shortly after their arrival, in his stoves. Fifteen years afterwards it was reintroduced
by M. Linden, from whose establishment the figure in ' Pescatorca' was obtained, but it seems to have again
been lost. Last spring (1S66) I had the pleasure of seeing the species in the best possible health in Mr. Dawson's
rich and admirably-managed collection at Meadow Bank near Glasgow, and from his plant, which flowered in April,
Mr. Fitch's drawing was prepared. I also received specimens about the same time from Mr. Turner. Still more
recently, Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. have imported it in large quantities and excellent condition, and many good
varieties have already appeared, though none that I have yet seen are so fine or so richly coloured as that of Mr.
Dawson. One that is now flowering at Knypersley is a dull vellowish-green.
In its native country it flowers in March, which is about the time of its flowering with us. As to treatment it
will naturally be found more at home in the Mexican house, where a cool and comparatively dry atmosphere should
be maintained, than in the Peruvian house, which should be suited to the species that are accustomed to a damper and—
not unfrequently—still cooler climate. I have no doubt that this distinction will be found of much practical utility, for
although "cool treatment" as opposed to "warm" marks a very important division still, just as among "warm" plants
it is necessary to separate the East Indian Acridcs from the Brazilian Cattleyas, so among " cool" plants it will be