P L A T E X X I I I .
O D O N T O G L O S S U M T R I U M P H A N S.
S P L E N D I D O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM, Lindl.) pseudobulbis ovatis 1-2-phyllis foliis lato lanceolatis acntis, basi
attcnuatis, racemo multiiloro, bracteis triangularibus ovario pedicellato 4 - 5 ^ brevioribus,
sepalis oblongo-acutis basi bene attenuatis, petalis subajqualibus latioribus, magis acuminatis,
utrinque bine illinc lobulatis, Iabello unguiculato basi bifalci, utrinque bicalloso
lamina pandurata apiculata, column® alis rliombeis ascendentibus margine externo
erosulis.
ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANT, Reichenbachfit. Bonpl. ii. 99; Walpera Annates, vi. p. 831 ; Pescatorca, t. .10.
Habitat in N. GRENADA, Wartccmci. OCANA, 6000-8000 feet, Schlim, Wegener.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBCLDS ovate, very similar to those of O. Hallii, bearing generally two stout sharp-pointed LEAVES a foot
or more long. RACEME ma?iy-(6-lS) Jlowered, half a yard or 2 feet long, rather drooping. BRACTS small and
triangular, 4 or 5 times shorter than the ovary. SEPALS 1J to 2 inches long, oblong-acute, narrowed at the
base. PETALS about the same size as the sepals, but broader and more acuminate, sometimes diversely lobed
on either side like the sepals, nearly covered with rich chestnut blotches on a bright yellow ground. Lip
white with deep reddish blotches at apex, shorter than petals, unguiculato, pandurate, partially connate with
the column, toothed at the edges, bicarinate at base, provided with CREST consisting of two sets of falcate
teeth, extending about one-third of its own length. COLUMN white, half the length of the lip, furnished
with upright rhomb-like wings the edges of which arc. indented.
This is a very fine speeics indeed, although it scarcely realizes the expectations excited by the figure in
Pescatorea, whether as regards the size of the individual blossoms or their colour. In the fresh flowers the
prevailing tone is a bright yellow, which serves as a foil to the rich brown or chestnut marking with which
the sepals aud petals are profusely covered, and which, though to a lesser degree, cover also the lip. But in
Pescatorea the lip is represented as white, and as bearing at its upper extremity a rich blotch of bright purple
which affords a beautiful contrast to the yellow and brown tints of the other parts of the flower.
Probably the figure referred to may have been prepared from dried specimens and hence the mistake as to the
colouring.
There are many varieties of this species, some of the best of which were exhibited by Mr. Marshall of Enfield
at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society as early as April, 1869.
O. trinmphans does not appear to be so plentiful in its native habitats as O. Hallii, O. lutea-purpureum,
and many other N. Grenada kinds that now swarm in our collections. The range of elevation within
which it grows is nearly identical with that of O. Hallii, hence the same treatment is suitable to both. It is
easily grown and flowers freely.