P late XLIV.
ORCHIS FOLIOSA.
Orchis foliosa. Solander’s mss. in Mus. Brit. Lowe primitice Florce Mdderensis, p.
13. Botanical Register, 1.1701. Lmdley Genera and Species of Orchidaceous
plants, p. 264.
Although contrary to the practice I have hitherto observed, of admitting into the present work
no plants that have been figured elsewhere, I trust to be excused for introducing the subject of the
present plate as a most noble example of the beauty of plants nearly approaching to the Orchises of
our own pastures.
This species is not uncommon in our gardens, and is treated successfully as a greenhouse plant.
It is a native of Madeira, where, according to the Rev. Mr. Lowe, it inhabits woods and thickets. It
is usually no handsomer than the wild O. latifolia, to which it in fact approaches very nearly ; but
under skilful management it grows three feet high, and produces such magnificent pyramids of
flowers as are now represented from the conservatory of William Wells, Esq. of Redleaf. I possess
a wild spécimen from Madeira, for which I am indebted to Dr. Leman, but it bears no kind of
comparison for vigour with that before us.
It grows further to the southward than any species of Orchis properly so called, with the
exception of Orchis Canariensis, which occurs in the Canaries, on the rocky ridges, called Los
Organos, above the valley of Orotava, and is known by its shorter bracts, thicker spur, and truncate
lip.
Fig. 1. gives a view of the general appearance of the plant; 2. shows the lip, column and spur.