I l
P H A I U S T U B K R C U L O S U S m„,,„.
Scpulis oblongis
label! i tri lobi lobis i^tcn
lis acutis dorso manifeste carinatis, lateniHbus subobliquis,
largine anteriore rellexis Icvitcr undulalis inlus pilosis, ini.
' -inito (crinibiis longis strictis), deinde calvo, aiilicc linci
:o Ubcli;
io gracili incurv.
l'HAIUS TUUBRCUrXtóUS, Blumc in Mus. I-ugd. Hai. II., p. i8i,No.,
Albura, Tome 11., pi. 91.
LisionORUM TUUERCULOSUM, Aub. ÜII Pelit-Tliouard Orch, Maelag
liLETIA TUBERCULOSA, Spreng. Sysl. Nat. I 11., p. 744. Umllcy Gcn
l-lindracci nrticul.it¡ lo- i j era. longi, i, 5-2 CITI.
"olia 5—7 disUclm 1 incari-v. longc li
ex axtìln folli cujusilam iiifcrioris oncns
E aoiininalx ovariis fere iliiplo loiiRiorcs.
lì lobi laterales intus pilosi lutei rubro-mi
.lata a.
•ulo latioribuii intcrtlum fere rhombeis ;
tranivcrsc-oblciDijo ani ice emarginalo
clev,M!s ilexiiojis .mie a¡.ici:m iabcill
V. luberculi
l Arcliipcl Indien
uni vetusliorum ve.niti. Caulis ex .ixilla quadam
jlem amplcclenlcm nnguslata 25—jocm. longii,
:is vcslitii.« folla subxcju.ins vel cis paulo brevìor.
•o (exiiausi 9 cm.) sepala pelalaque sub anlhes!
Cpraisertini in basi) callisque et margine inaculisque
CS analytica:. l-los sine labello. Sectio labclli columna¡qiie
THIS superb plant is without doubt one of the
from any other species of llic genus
Is yet introduced ; it i.s also distinct in il habit of growth
cultivation. It is Indigenous to Madagascar, inhabiting dense, shady, almost
trackless, woods in the interior; its fleshy, fusiform stems, attaching themselves by their roots, traverse the interstices
formed by the rough bark until they reach the rich moss-covered humus with which the ground abounds. The new
growths are develoixid in winter; the leaves are oblong acuminate plicate 12 to 18 inches long; the inflorescences are
always erect racemose, with from seven to twelve (lowers, and are ¡jrocluced with the young gro\vths. The sepal.s and
petals are ivory white ; the labclium obliquely funnel-shaped, with yellow lobes, which are thickly studded with crimson
blotches and spots on a yellow ground. The front lobe is rounded emarginatc and wavy, white, with rose-colon reel spots
and pencillings, while a number of raised warty crests in lines ornament the disc ; at the base of the labellum there is a
yellow, feathciy crcst reminding one of the head crests of some of the small humming birds. This plant has hitherto
been considered difficult to cultivate, which wc believe is due to the fact of its requirements being insufficiently unilerstood.
The plant is naturally at the height of its development at our dullest season of the year—namely, November,
December, and January—the three months in which it usually makes its growth and blossoms. It should then have a
temperatui-e of 75 deg. to 80 deg. by day, falling 10 deg. at night, with copious waterings and constant syringings, and
should be grown in shallow pans, boat-shaped or concave teak rafts. The compost should be light fibrous brown peat
and sphagnum moss, with plenty of drainage, and the plants placed in a position near the glass, l)ut always shaded from
direct sunlight. The atmosphere cannot well be too humid if it is not produced by steaming the hot pipes ; no orchids
can flourish in an atmosphere charged with steam. Yellow thrips are veiy fond of its succulent stems and leaves, and
the plants under their ravages soon acquire a brown, burnt look; if, however, fumigating and dipping is carefully
performed at intervals of about a fortnight, no damage will arise from thrips or any other insects. We have had much
success with our last importation of these plants, they having produced grant! growths and splendid spikes of blossoms
under the system of culture here recommended.
Phaius tuberculosus was first sent home by our collector, Möns. Leon Humblot, and the first consignment arrived
home in November, 1883. Well we remember meeting him and his plants in Marseilles; he was then .seriously ill, and
years elapsed before the second consignment, with the collector, arrived in March, 1887, and wc do not believe
that any one will ever again attempt to search for it, even if he knew the spot it inhabits as well as his own
home. Fred. Boyle gives a true description of the danger of collecting in the far interior of Madagascar. In a late
number of " Longman's Magazine " he says :—" Madaga.scar also will furnish some astounding novelties ; it has already