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CATTLEYA LABIATA LÌ,M. PERCIVALIA.NA KM./.
C,\TTI.E VA I.ABIATA, J.ir.dl. Pscudcbulbis fusiformi dovaiis vario sulcatis monopl.yllis, sp.iiha spathisvc v
ilnrc maxiino cxpanw membranaceo, scpalis ¡¡¡julati» aculis, tcpalis oblongis obUisiusculi» varie cri-spis, labclio maxim
columna recta elavata, .mdroclinii apiciilo mediano |>oslico lijjulato reluso auijra anthcram llexo.
CA-ITLUVA LADIATA, T.irdl-,Coll.]3ol..33l; Hook. Uxolic R i¡i„ 157!; cíe.
Planta imcr Orclii<lca.s forsan maxime polymorplias pieiochroma, cujus v.-irictaics plures sìnc diibia iconibus tinsi
VAR. PEUCIVALIANA, Rchl.. f. Dcccmbrilis-Martialis, pscudobulbis elavaiis moclieis, foliis viridissimis ciassis, spath.-I solitaria, lloril.us uno-quinis,
labolln pulcherrime pieto, disco antico saturate purpureo, margiiiibus vulgo palUdiori, belle crispo, supraposltis arcis auranliacis geminis juxla anijiite Inborum
n, parte suprema in ìonas ionyitue!¡nales quinas divisa, zonis externis pallidioribus, medianis latoralibus angustis (laveoli., mediana obscure purjíurea
plus minus
Varietas pule
l'holograpliia
CArri.TVA U.
Florcm album spontaneuin labelli disco paulo purpurea flavoque picto te cab cj l". Sander, li flores lo
WHEN Professor Reicheiibach first described tliis »ew Cattleya from tlie dried specimens we sent him, he conciiidcd
his description wiih the prediction that, "This Cattleya may prove a source of great enjoyment." Tiiis was four
years ago. Since then thousands of plants have been distributed, not only in this country but all over liurope and in the
United Stiites, and much enjoyment has undoubtedly been derived from it, for it has proved to be a most beautiful Orchid,
extremely variable in colour, and particularly valuable on account of its flowering in the depth of winter. Its introduction
awakened a good deal of interest among orchidists, who had always been anxious to get a Cattleya that would fiower
during the latter part of the year, so as to fill the breach that occurs between the flowering season of the old autumn
C. labiata and C, Trianjci. C. Percivaliana does this, as it begins to flower in January and continues in bloom till March ;
so that now, since the introduction of C. Gaskelliana, which flowers in late summer and autumn, we have Cattleyas
flowering the whole year,
Percival's Cattleya is no doubt but a geographical fonn of that extremely variable species C. labiata, which on account
of its being the first discovered is regarded as the type, but no other member of the group possesses such peculiar characteristics
as Pcrcivaliana. It is so different that no one would mistake it for any other of tlie labiata section, as is sometimes
the case with the more nearly allied forms, such as Trian.-ci, Mossias and Mendclii. It has stout clavate pseudo-bulbs,
ranging from 6 inches to 12 inches high, and broad, very deep green leaves of thick texture. Each flower-spike bears from
two to four flowers; these are small compared with such as C. Triansi , the largest being only about 6 inchcs across, but the
lack of size is compensated for by the colour, which in the labelluin is of extraordinary richness. In the finest varieties the
sepals and petals are of a deep rosy lilac lint; the colour of the lip is very variable, sometimes it is almost entirely of a
deep velvety maroon crimson, in others this colour is mixed with golden yellow, while some varieties have the lips almost
wholly yellow, interwoven with dark lines, and these last have been named aurantiaca. From the deepest tinted forms there
is eveiy intermediate shade to a i)ure white, of which latter there were but a very few plants imported ; of these one died,
and two were, till this year, in the Percival collection. This albino is chastcly beautiful, the flower being of jKrrfect
form with only a stain of yellow on the lip to mar its purity. It is a singular fact that the flowering season of this
Cattleya varies in different latitudes. In its native haunts it flowers in October, in the United States of America it begins
to bloom in November, in France in December, while in England the flowering season does not commence till January.
The first time it flowered in this country was in the middle of November, 1882.
This Orchid is found at high altitudes in Venezuela, extending sometimes to over 4,000 feet, and invariably grows
on rocks, not on trees ; moreover, it is always in full exposure to the sun, generally in the vicinity of river courses, which
in the rainy season afford abundant moisture to the plants, It may therefore be termed a rock Orchid and consequently
pot culturc is best for it. It should be grown in a sunny position, as it needs all the light we can give it in this country,
and it should never be heavily shaded. During March it must be kept dry, indeed not a single drop of water
should be given, in order to conduce to the thorough ripening of the bulbs, for this, as in the case of all other Cattleyas,
is the chief consideration.
It was named in compliment to the late Mr. Percival, who was an enthusiastic admirer and excellent cultivator of
Cattleyas, and is a discovery of our collector, F. Arnold.
r Lord Rothschild, from a plant in tlie Tring Park Collection.