O D O N T O G L O S S U M ROEZLII.
R O E Z L ' S O D O N T O G L O S S U M.
O. (PHALJENOPSIDEA) affine O. vexillario, pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis aucipitibus compressis
1 -2-phyllis, foliis lineari-ligulatis iuferne striatis pedunculis 1-3-floris longioribus;
sepalis oblongo-ligulatis aeutis, petalis sublatioribus ; labello a basi angusta sagittata
cuneato flabellato obtuse bilobo ; carinis ternis in ima basi; preposita lamella transversa
seu callis parvis geminis ; columna aptera.
ODONTOGLOSSIM ROEZLII, Bchb.fl. Xenia Orckidacea, ii.; idem in Gard. Chron. p. 1302, (cum Xylo) 1873.
Habitat in N. GKENADA, Roezl; Backhouse in Gard. Chron. p. 1334, (1873).
DESCRIPTION.
A compact plant, of which the PSEUDOBULBS are ovate-oblong, 1-2 inches long and much compressed; these bear
one or two bright green linear acute LEAVES, which are remarkable for their parallel dreaks—nine in
number—on the under side, and are from six to ten inches long, and about £ inch wide. The SCAPES
or PEDUNCLES are shorter than the leaves, and bear from one to three (possibly more) large and beautiful
flowers, which with the exception of some markings at the base of the petals and on the lip are of snowy
whiteness. SEPALS oblong-ligulate pointed at the extremity, fully an inch long. PETALS rather wider than
the sepals and with a rich crimson blotch at their base. LIP wedge-shaped, expanding from a narrow
sagittate base into a broad two-lobed disk, an inch and a half wide, white with some bright yellow markings
near the foot and in the region of the CREST ; the latter being formed by three slightly raised " carinaor
ridges near the base on either side, traversed by two moderate sized colli placed in front. COLUMN wingless.
This is a most charming Odontoglossum, allied to the preceding and to 0. phalcenopsis, but perfectly
distinct from either. Its bright green narrow leaves—streaked like those of Saccolabium Blumei, at once
distinguish the plant, even when out of flower, from its fascinating rival O. vexillarium; which always bears a
glaucous hue, and which has larger and broader foliage, and produces double the number of flowers on a
scape. The first rumours that reached us of the plant led to a suspicion that it might, after all, be only a
variety of 0. vexillarium, but these unworthy fears were at once dispelled by the flowering of the plant itself at
Mr. Bull's nursery in the early part of last September, when Mr. Fitch prepared his drawing, and Professor
Reichenbach obtained materials for the description which appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle of September
27, 1873. The Professor has also given, in his Xenia, a characteristic representation of the wild plant constructed
from the specimens supplied to him by its fortunate discoverer, Mr. Roezl; in whose honour the species
is very properly uamed. It is a native of New Grenada, and, like 0. vexillarium, appeal's to be exceedingly
rare; wo must not, therefore, murmur if the precise locality—of which the knowledge is a fortune in itself—
should be for awhile withheld. But there would have been uo harm in telling us the approximate elevation of
the native habitat, as the same is always important as a clue to culture; especially iu the case of plants with
a limited range. In this instanco I apprehend that both 0. Roezlii and 0. vexillarium are not found at a very
high level, and that, therefore though happily entitled to rank among "cool" Orchids - they must be placed
iu the warmer division of the "cool" Orchid-house.