PLATE X X V I .
O D O N T O G L O S S U M A N G R U S T A T U M .
N A R R O W - P E T A L L E D O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (ISANTHXUM) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis, foliis longis lato-lanceolatis erectis
aeutis panicula ramosa elata brevioribus, bracteis carinatis aeutis ovario multd brevioribus,
sepalis petalisque subtequalibus undulatis unguiculatis, labello ovato-lanceolato acuminato
reflexo, crista; lamellis lateralibus membranaceis trifidis, digitis anterioribus majoribus,
callo obtuso interposito, column a aptera.
OUON'I'OGLOSSUM ANGDSTATUM, Lindl. in Bot. Rey. sub t. 1992, Folio. Orchid., 48 J RM.JiJ.; Walper's Annates, vi. p. 841.
Habitat in PJSBD, (alt. 8000 ft.,) Hall, Hartweg, Linden.
DESCRIPTION.
A very stately plant. PSEITI>OBCI.BS ovate-oblong compressed, 2 or 3 inches long, 1 (or ? 2) leaved. LEAVES one
to one and a half feet long, linear-lanceolate acute, shorter than the upright branching zigzag many-flowered
PANICLES. BRACTS keeled, acute, much shorter than the ovaries. SEPALS and PETALS nearly equal,
unguiculate, acuminate, undulated, white with beautiful purple spots on their lower portions. LIP white,
or nearly so, shorter than the petals, ovate-lanceolate, the apex acuminate and exceedingly recurved,
having at its sides two membranous lamellee, divided into three unequal parts, those in front the larger
and projecting forioards like horns or fingers with a blunt callus lying between them. COLUMN not half
the length of the lip, and destitute of wings.
This is a very distinct species, as remarkable among Odontoglossa with its white and purple flowers, as
is Oncidium incurvum, with blossoms of similar hues, among the innumerable members of that still more
extensive genus. Although originally discovered by Colonel Hall more than a quarter of a century ago, no
genuine plants—there have been impostors in plenty—seem to have reached Europe alive before the year
1871, when it was introduced by M. Liuden; by whom also, in the following spring, flowering specimens
were exhibited at South Kensington and universally admired. According to Lindley, the species is nearly
allied to his O. ramosissimum, from which, indeed, he at one time failed to distinguish it. M. Linden's plant,
which is faithfully rendered in Mr. Fitch's drawing, does not exactly answer to the descriptions in the
Folia Orchidacea either of 0. angustatum or 0. ramosissimum, but is apparently a connecting link between
tho two, whence I infer the probability that both the above supposed species will eventually be found to be
one and the same.
The plant is still exceedingly scarce, and as it is indistinguishable in habit from many other Odontoglossa
derived from the same rich country (Peru), I would warn cultivators against purchasing any specimens that
have not actually proved themselves to be true. It belongs to the cooler sections of its race, and must be
treated accordingly.