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parted, of a greenish yellow ; the segments spreading, tapering
inwards, and widening towards the points, divided into
numerous slender filiform segments, some of which are again
divided. Spm- about the length of the ovarium, flattened, and
increasing in breadth from about the middle. Anther 2-lobed,
connected to the point of the stigma. Pollen-masses pedicled,
pale yellow. Ovarium angular, somewhat twisted.
Our drawing of this pretty and curious Orchideous plant,
was made from a fine specimen, kindly sent to us from the
splendid collection of the late Robert Barclay, Esq., of Bury-
hill, who received it from North America. For the account
of the root, we are obliged to Mr. David Cameron, the intelligent
Gardener, who observes, the root is now producing an
offset, which is not a very general case in this tribe. It is a
native of low meadows, from Pensylvania to Virginia, flowering
in July, according to Pursh, whose specimen we have
seen, preserved in Mr. Lambert’s Herbarium; the specimen
was not above half the length of the present, which may,
therefore, be considered a very strong one. From its appearance,
we should suppose it partial to peat soil, or some deep
light earth, in a moist and somewhat shady situation; but,
as it is at present very scarce, it will probably be some time
before it can be procured, except by roots, fresh imported
from America.
We have no doubt but the Orchideous plants might all
be readily raised from seeds, by planting turfs of grass on
the plants, for the young plants to have to attach their roots
to, when the seeds first vegetate, as they appear to be all
more or less parasitic when in a young state, and die off as
soon as they vegetate, if they have not some plant to attach
their young roots to.
The generic name is from the Latin, derived from Habena,
a thong or strap, in allusion to the long thin spur of the
flowers of many species belonging to the genus, some of them
being of an enormous length.
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1 Perianthium divested of the labellum, to show the 5 leaflets, and the twisted ovarium
at the base. 2. Labellum spread open, with the long spur at the base. 3. The two-lobed
Anther, showing the pedicelled Pollen-masses.