PLATE X X V I 1 1 .
O D O N T O G L O S S U M B L A N D U M.
P L E A S A N T O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis ovatis 1- 2-phyllis, foliis lineari-lanceolatis acutis racemis
multifloris subfequalibus, sepalis petalisque cuneato-lanceis acuminatis ; labelli ungue
bilamellato, lamellis oblongis antice obtusangulis, lamina ab ungue cuneato velutino
ampliato ovata acuminata crispula, cornubus brevibus geminis ante lamellas, antepositis
falcibus geminis, tumore parvo inteijecto ; cirrhis columns basi angulat® bifidis setaceis.
ODONTOGLOSSUM BLANDUM, Iichb.fl/. in Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 1342 (1S72).
Habitat in OCASA, Blunt, Boezl.
DESCRIPTION.
PLANT about a span across, in a compact mass.
PSEUDOBULBS ovate, somewhat compressed, about an inch long, bearing 1 (rarely 2) narrow lanceolate LEAVES
of about the same length as the slender nodding many-flowered RACEMES. The FLOWERS, of which there are
from six to twelve (or more) crowded together on the racemes, are all expanded at the same time, and emit a
pleasant honey-like smell. SEPALS and PETALS nearly equal, less than an inch long, lanceolate, acuminate,
of a creamy white sprinkled over with numerous crimson dots. LIP about the same length as the sepals,
and of the same hue, but destitute of spots except at the apex, the central portion bearing a large crimson
mark nearly in the form of the letter "W ; the lip's base is formed of two parallel blunt lamella out of
which springs the main limb which is broadly ovate, curled and jagged at the edges and recurved and
acuminate at its extremity ; at the point of junction with the unguis or claw occur two horned falcate
processes, between which a small tumour is interposed, at foot of which are two short and blunt horns.
COLUMN short, bifid, angular with three or four straggling cirrhi or filaments on either side.
This pretty little Odontoglossum comes from Ocana, where it was first discovered by Mr. Low's collector
many years ago. At that time none of the plants reached England alive, but some dried specimens that found
their way to Professor Reichenbach, enabled the great German Orchidist to name and describe the species ;
which turns out to be nearly allied to O. ncevium. It has been met with by M. Roezl and other collectors, but
is still a rare plant, as its constitution is apt to succumb under a long journey by sea and laud. The specimens
from which Mr. Fitch prepared his drawing, flowered in the spring of 1871, in the collection of the Royal
Horticultural Society;—the plants having been purchased at one of Stevens' sales, among a " miscellaneous
lot" of doubtful things. The species is a free-flowerer, and sends out an agreeable honey-like odour, but in
point of beauty is scarcely a rival for 0. ncevium. It seems to require rather more heat than the latter species,
which is one of the coolest of cool Orchids.