O D O N T O G L O S S U M Y E X I L L A E I U M.
B R O A D - L I P P E D O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (PHALJENOPSIDEA) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis 1-2-phyllis ; foliis pedalibus
subglaucescentibus carinatis lanceolatis acutis pedunculis gracilibus 2-6-floris subffiqualibus;
bracteis triangulis minutis ; floribus maximis roseo suffusis ; sepalis oblongoligulatis
apiculatis ; petalis conforariibus vel paulo latioribus subacutis vel obtusis; labello
maximo flabellato orbiculari bilobo, in unguera brevera hastatum contracto, carinis quinis
abruptis in basi; columna brevissima exalata.
ODONTOGLOSSUM VKXILLARIUM, Hchb.fi/. in Gard. Chron. 1867, 901; ibid. 1872, p. 667, cam Sylo; 1873, p. 580, 044, cum Xylo, 885;
Hooker in Bot. May. t. 6037; Illustration Horlicole, 1873, PI. cxiii.
Habitat in N. GRKNADA, Bowman, JFallis, Boezl, Chesterton.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS flattened, ovate-oblong, an inch or inch and a half long, bearing one or two keeled sharp-ended
lanceolate LEAVES from sis inches to a foot long, by an inch or more wide, with a glaucous tint, especially
on their tipper surface. SCAPES slender, nodding, about the same length as the leaves, two to six-flowered,
clasped at intervals by small triangular BRACTS. FLOWERS flat, the largest in the gen.us, tinted more or less
deeply with lovely rose. SEPALS and PETALS somewhat variable in their relative forms, in most cases nearly
the same size, oblong or obovate apiculate or obtuse, about an inch long, the former nearly white, the latter
of the same hue as the lip. LIP generally of a rich rosy tint, expanding from a narrow sagittate claw
into a round and ample, 2-lobed disk, more than double the size of the petals, with five dwarf calli
and some yellow streaks at its base. COLUMN very short with rarely a trace of mugs.
This is the handsomest of known Odontoglossa. In the year 1867 Mr. Low showed me a solitary flower,
which had been sent to him by his collector (Bowman, I believe), but a discreet silence was observed as to the
locality where the prodigy had been found, nor, alas, did living plants ever make their way to the Clapton Nursery.
Subsequently the species was met with by Wallis—when collecting for Mr. Linden—and later still by Roezl;
but although in each case a large number of specimens were packed up and despatched to Europe, they either
died on the passage, or shortly after their arrival. Indeed, cultivators were almost beginning to despair, when,
early in the spring of last year (1873), the arrival was announced of a small cargo of the beauteous novelty in
most excellent condition at the establishment of Messrs. Veitch; to whom it had been forwarded by
Mr. Henry Chesterton. Once safe in the Chelsea collection, it did not put the patience of Orchid-growers to
any sevcro strain, for within little more than three months of its arrival vigorous flower-spikes were produced,
and tho plant itself exhibited—both in Regent's Park and at South Kensington—to the envy and admiration of
all beholders. It seems to be very easy to manage, and produces its flower-scapes with the utmost profusion.
Liko all its congeuers, it must be relegated to the cool Orchid-house, though probably it will be found to prefer
tho warmest end.
Professor Reichenbach has written several articles in the Gardeners' Chronicle about this plant, in one of
which ho deplores, and most justly, the wanton waste and havoc committed by collectors; who, instead of