s o B K A ÍL I A MA C R A S T lli[
••v..' ^ / i
TAB XXXVII.
S O B R A L I A MACRANTHA
LA RGB-PL O WE RED SOBRALIA.
TRIBUS: EPIDENDREiE.—LINDLEV.
SouRALiA viacrantha; ibliis ovalibus busi planis, bracteis sü-obili imbricatis glabris, sepaiis oblongolanceolatis
acutis, petalis conformibus majoribus, labello máximo emargiiiato plano glabro.—I,mt//, Sert.
Oixhid. sub. Tub. xxix. Bol. Reg. 1842, Mkc. 65.
Habitat in Oaxacá, KAHWINSKI, ROSS : in Guatemala, SKIXSKU, HAIITWEG.
I D e S f r i p t i o i i .
St F.MS rising from a compact mass of thicJi tomentose Rootíí to the height of from two to ten
feet, sometime.^ a,^ thick OA- the little finger. Le.wils alternate, oml-lanccohtte, greuth/ acnminated,
from six inches to a foot in length. At its snmniit the stem swells into a sort of bracteated cone,
from whence, at intervals of several dags, issue a succession of large and splendid Jlowers, each continning
only about twelve hours. Sepals usually about three inches long, oblong, sharp-pointed.
Petals larger than the sepals, and like them of a transparent rosy hue. Lip 'much larger and
longer than the petals, in the form of a funnel, cmarginate at the ape.v, where its edges are dilated,
waved, and bent slightly bach; the colour of the Up is a more intense rose colour than the petah,
and beautifully shaded, with deeper tints; at the entrance of the tube the rose colour ceases, and is
replaced by white passing into yellow, and beautifully veined with crimson streaks. Column
entirely concealed by the lip.
T i n s , perhaps t!ie most beautiful of teixestial Orchidacea>, is extensively distributed tlirouglioul the
wanner parts of :\lcxico, Oaxaca, and Guatemala.
Although repeatedly gathered by botanical travellers, it was never introduced into this country until
1S41, when, through the care and exertions of 'Mr. 1 IAIITWEO and Mr. SiciyNKn, a few plants survived
the hitherto fatal ordeal of the voyage. Placed in a moist heat, and treated like Blelia or Phaius, these
plants were found to thrive amazingly, and from one of them, which tlowcrcd in die garden of the Horticultural
Societj', Miss DiiAKEwas permitted to prepare the accompanying Plate. The splendour of the
subject speaks for itself.
SICINNEII remarks that in the situations where the plant attained the highest degree of luxuriance,
he observed that its roots were frequently overflowed with water for two or three months together—in tlie
rainy season, of course. Cultivators will, therefore, do well to bear this singular fact in mine!, and approximate
their treatment as closely as circumstances will permit. All SobraUa.i require a season of rest, which
is readily obtiiined by merely removing Uiem from u warm and 1mm id house to one tliat is cool and diy,
The present species is more rapid and vigorous in its growtli than any hitlierto domiciled in our stoves; it is
now (July, ISia) flowering profusely at Knypersley.