_Flore des Serres_, vi. 594; _Pescatorea_, _t._ 13; _Warner's Select
Orchidaceous Plants_, _t._ 7; _Reichenbach fil. in Bonplandia_, ii. 278.
Habitat in VENEZUELA, _Funck and Schlim_ (721), in the province of
Truxillo, near S. Lazaro and La Peña, 6000 feet; NEW GRANADA, in the
province of Pamplona, flowering in August, 8000 feet, _Linden_ (146).
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS _ovate, compressed, somewhat bluntly ribbed, bearing 1 or 2
narrow-oblong_ LEAVES, _tapering at the base, about equal in length to or
more frequently shorter than the many-flowered flower-scape_. FLOWERS
_arranged on a nodding raceme (occasionally a panicle is formed), pure
white, speckled everywhere with rich crimson or brown_. BRACTS _very
short, scale-like_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _ovate, linear-lanceolate,
acuminate, spreading equally, much waved, from 1½ to (in some varieties)
2 or 2½ inches long_. LIP _shorter than the petals, but nearly of the
same form and colour, except that there is a yellow crest with a large
crimson blotch in its front; at its base the edges of the claw clasp the
column_. TEETH _of the crest yellow, small, distinct, with 2 or 3 unequal
blunt lobes to each, downy_. COLUMN _downy, narrowed to the base, with a
pair of awl-shaped ears near the summit, below the anther-bed_.
This brilliant _Odontoglossum_ was first discovered by the late Sir Robert
Schomburgk, and having been shipped with his other collections from
Demerara, has long been supposed to be a native of the latter colony. I am,
however, satisfied that, beyond the circumstance alluded to, there is not
the slightest reason for regarding it as a Demerara plant, for no other
collector has ever found it there, nor would its constitution endure so hot
a climate. As Sir Robert, in his memorable expedition into the interior of
Guiana (1835-37), reached an elevation of 7000 feet, on the fourth parallel
of latitude, and among the southern affluents of the Orinoco, I have little
doubt that it was in this region that he discovered _O. nævium,_ along with
_Maxillaria eburnea_, _Diothonea imbricata_, and other treasures that have
never yet found their way to us in a living state.[6]
_O. nævium_ and its varieties appear to be extensively distributed, having
been met with in many localities, both in Venezuela and New Granada,
always, however, at a very considerable elevation, and hence the necessity
of cool treatment. If this be conceded, the plant is of the easiest culture
and will flower abundantly in May or June. The figure was taken from a
splendid specimen in Mr. Rucker's collection.
I do not think it necessary to adhere any longer to Dr. Lindley's
distinction (as noted in the 'Folia Orchidacea') of a "major" variety, for
this is now found to pass insensibly into the ordinary type. The former has
sometimes been confounded with the _O. gloriosum_ of Reichenbach, but this
is a perfectly independent form, and as such will shortly be figured in
this work.
DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto:
_magnified_.
[Illustration]
Plate X
[Illustration: Odontoglossum carinatum.]
PLATE X.
ODONTOGLOSSUM CARINIFERUM, _Reichb. fil._
KEEL-PETALED ODONTOGLOSSUM.
O. (XANTHOGLOSSUM) pseudobulbis oblongis 1-2-phyllis, foliis loratis
scapo paniculato brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongis acutiusculis
basi subcuneatis dorso carinâ crassâ auctis pergameneis, labello
membranaceo sessili ligulato dimidio anteriori subito in laminam
reniformem denticulatam medio antice apiculatam extenso, lamellis
rhombeis extrorsum biquadridentatis supinis utrinque in ligulâ labelli
basilari, raphi utriusque lamellæ carinatâ antrorsum in tres digitos
excurrente, columnâ elongatâ, alis elongatis crenulatis hyalinis
inferioribus 2 utrinque obtusatis, crassioribus columnâ vix marginatâ.
(_Reichb. fil. in Bot. Zeitung_, 1852, _p._ 638.)
ODONTOGLOSSUM CARINIFERUM, _Lindl. Fol. Orch._
Habitat in AMERICA CENTRALI, _Reichenbach_.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS _3 or 4 inches long, oblong, smooth, bearing 2 broadish,
leathery, sharp-pointed_ LEAVES. SCAPE _longer than the leaf, panicled
with zigzag branches_. BRACTS _triangular, short_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _1
inch long, greenish outside, but of a purplish-brown inside, distinctly
keeled at the back_. LIP _yellowish-white, sessile, ligulate at its base,
but suddenly changing into a broad reniform plate, which is apiculate in
front, and at its base adjoins the crest, which consists of 2 nearly
prostrate, irregularly toothed, rhomboid lobes on either side, with 3
finger-like processes in front_. COLUMN _elongated, with transparent
crenulate wings, its anther-bed scarcely margined_.
For the opportunity of figuring this pretty _Odontoglossum_ I am indebted
to the kindness of the Bishop of Winchester, in whose collection at Farnham
Castle it flowered profusely in November last. A fortnight afterwards I
also received specimens from Mr. Rucker, but the flowers of his variety
were scarcely so bright in their colouring as those of the Bishop's plant.
_O. cariniferum_, although now figured for the first time, appears to have
been introduced several years ago to German collections, and from some of
these it has, no doubt, found its way to England. It is a native of Central
America, where it probably affects a high elevation, as it succeeds
perfectly under cool treatment, both at Farnham Castle and at West Hill.
Its flowers continue in perfection for many weeks.
DISSECTIONS.--1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto:
_magnified_.
Plate XI
[Illustration: Odontoglossum Lindleyanum.]
PLATE XI.
ODONTOGLOSSUM LINDLEYANUM.
DR. LINDLEY'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.
O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis
diphyllis, foliis lanceolatis subcoriaceis acutis scapo racemoso
multi-(5-12)floro vix brevioribus, sepalis petalisque lineari-lanceolatis
acuminatis subæqualibus, labello angusto unguiculato hastato utroque
latere angulato in disco bifalcigero basi per carinam cum columnâ
connato. Columna tomentosa, auriculis erectis angustis acuminatis.
ODONTOGLOSSUM LINDLEYANUM, _Reichenbach fil._: _Warsz. Bonpl._ ii. 69;
_Reichenbach_, _Xenia Orch._ _t._ 71; _Walpers_, _Annales._ vi. _fasc._
6.
ODONTOGLOSSUM EPIDENDROIDES, _Lindl. fil._ (_non Hb. Kth. N.G._).
Habitat in PAMPLONA (in sylvis humidis), 8500 ft., _Linden_; Ocaña, 9000
ft., _Schlim_; Ocaña (_floribus majoribus_), _Wagener_; Bogotá, _Weir_.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS _about 3 inches long, ovate-oblong, compressed, 2-leaved,
sometimes a little spotted_. LEAVES _lanceolate, from a span to a foot
long, rather leathery, sharp-pointed_. RACEME _rather longer than the
leaves, bearing from half-a-dozen to a dozen flowers_. BRACTS _oblong,
acute, about one-third the length of the ovary_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS
_nearly equal, an inch or more long, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, of a
yellowish-green, with a few large chestnut blotches, the arrangement of
which varies in different specimens_. LIP _shorter than the petals,
narrow, unguiculate, hastate, 3-lobed; the lateral lobes forming two
blunt angles, the middle lobe longer, linear-lanceolate, deflexed, with
two large upright slightly-curved horns placed on either side of the
disk; at its base the lip is keeled and united with the column after the
fashion of the Trichopilias; its colour is usually a pale yellow or
yellowish-white with large chestnut bands_. COLUMN _downy, furnished near
the summit with two narrow erect upright acuminate auricles_.
The name of this plant, associated as it is with the memory of the
distinguished botanist who has lately passed from among us, is to me
suggestive of the most melancholy reflections. Mourn indeed I must, the
loss of one who had been my steady friend for five-and-thirty years, and by
whose labours among the members of my favourite tribe, I have been enabled
to follow a pursuit that has never ceased to be a joy and solace amid all
the cares and vicissitudes of life![7]
_O. Lindleyanum_ was so named by Professor Reichenbach, in honour of the
great Orchidist whose mantle seems now to have fallen upon himself. It is
closely allied to the _O. epidendroides_ of Humboldt and Kunth, from which
indeed Dr. Lindley failed to distinguish it, but if the characters of the
two species, as represented in the 'Xenia,' prove to be constant, no doubt
the German Professor was right in separating them.
Several travellers, including Schlim, Wagener, Warszewicz, and Weir, appear
to have met with the plant in various localities in New Granada, but always
at a great elevation, hence it must of course be classed among the coolest
section of Orchids. It has flowered in the gardens of the Horticultural
Society, to which it was sent by their zealous collector Mr. Weir, and also
in the collection of Mr. Rucker, where Mr. Fitch made his drawing in the
spring of last year (1865).
DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column, seen sideways; 2. Ditto seen in front:
_magnified_.
Plate XII
[Illustration: Odontoglossum gloriosum.]
PLATE XII.
ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM.
FINE ODONTOGLOSSUM.
O. (EUODONTOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis confertis diphyllis,
foliis lato-lanceolatis acutis scapo valido paniculato multifloro
brevioribus, sepalis petalisque oblongo-ligulatis acuminatis stellatis,
labello a basi cordatâ ligulato acuminato, basin versus utrinque
angulato, ceterum hinc illinc denticulato, callo depresso quadrilobulo
nunc quadridentato ante basin, columnâ clavatâ apice utrinque cirrho
setaceo medio inferne unidentato.
ODONTOGLOSSUM GLORIOSUM, _Reichenbach fil._ _Bonpl._ ii. 278; _idem in
Gardeners' Chronicle_ (_New Plants_, _n._ 293, 1865), _et in Walpers_,
_Annales_, vi. _fasc._ 6.
Habitat in N. GRANADA, Soto. 8-9000 p., _Schlim_; Ocaña, 6000 p.,
_Wagener_; Bogotá, _Weir_.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS _ovate, 2-leaved, growing closely together, 3 or 4 inches
long, turning to a dark colour when old_. LEAVES _broadly-lanceolate,
acute, shorter than the stout much-branched many-flowered panicle_.
FLOWERS _exceedingly variable in size and form and colour; the example in
the Plate representing one of the largest varieties, and the vignette one
of the least. Usually they are about 2 inches across, of a pale ochrish
or greenish-yellow, blotched, or sometimes minutely spotted, with
dark-chestnut_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _nearly equal, lanceolate, acute
(often narrower than in the figure), slightly waved_. LIP _ligulate,
smooth (not crisp) at the margin, very much attenuated in front, but
heart-shaped at the base, towards which it is abruptly carinate, and
furnished with 2 upright large sharp double teeth_. COLUMN _clavate, with
hairy cirrhi on either side near its apex, and a solitary tooth near the
middle_.
This remarkable _Odontoglossum_ was long since discovered in New Granada by
Schlim and Wagener, in whose herbaria its stately many-flowered panicles
formed so striking a feature that Professor Reichenbach did not hesitate to
give the plant the name of _gloriosum_; an epithet which--now that we have
the plant amongst us in a living state--may perhaps be thought to be
somewhat beyond its merits. It must indeed be admitted that the fresh
blossoms, which are of a faint yellowish-green, scarcely realize the
expectations which the rich colour and profusion of flowers in the dried
specimens had very naturally raised. Nor are all the varieties of equal
merit, some being much smaller and paler than others.
The species has lately been imported in large quantities, both by Messrs.
H. Low and Co., of Clapton, and by the Horticultural Society, who received
it in 1864 from Mr. Weir, by whom it was gathered in the neighbourhood of
Bogotá. It flowers freely, and at all seasons of the year; nor does it
appear to care so much as many of its congeners for a few degrees more or
less of heat or cold. I believe it has already bloomed in almost every
collection of note; though the spikes, as was of course to be expected, are
as yet far from equal to the wild specimens.[8] The figure was taken from a
plant in Mr. Day's garden, where I saw, in November last, nearly a dozen
distinct varieties in blow, some of them rivalling the example given in the
Plate, while others were as insignificant as that which is shown in the
vignette. The blossoms continue fresh for at least a fortnight, and emit a
pleasant honey-like scent.
[Illustration]
DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip (_magnified_), seen sideways; 2. Ditto, seen in front.
Plate XIII
[Illustration: Odontoglossum Warneri.]
[Illustration: Odontoglossum stellatum.]
PLATE XIII. FIG. 1.
ODONTOGLOSSUM WARNERIANUM,
MR. WARNER'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.
O. (LEUCOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis subelongatis compressis
monophyllis, foliis membranaceis oblongis in petiolum canaliculatum
angustatis scapo 2-6-floro brevioribus, bracteis uncialibus acuminatis,
sepalis lineari-lanceolatis acutis, petalis latioribus undulatis, labelli
callo cuneato ovato, antice abrupte trilobo, lobis lateralibus angulatis,
lobo medio forcipato bicruri, longiori, lateribus calli a basi versus
apicem involutis, laminâ cordato-triangulâ obtusâ, margine minute
crispulâ crenulatâ, columnâ gracili clavatâ apterâ.
ODONTOGLOSSUM WARNERIANUM, _Reichenbach fil. in Mohl and Schl. Bot.
Zeit._ 1864, 297; _idem in Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1865, _New Plants_,
_n._ 294.
Habitat in MEXICO (?).
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS _rather long and narrow, compressed, about 3 inches in
length_. LEAVES, _one on each pseudobulb, less than a span long,
membranous, sharp-pointed, narrowed at the base into a channelled
petiole_. BRACTS _about an inch long, scariose, very acuminate_. SCAPE
_longer than the leaves, only partially covered by the bracts, bearing
from 2 to half-a-dozen flowers of a very delicate texture, and of snowy
whiteness with the exception of the yellow crest on the lip and a few
brown blotches on the lower half of the sepals and (though in a less
degree) of the petals also_. SEPALS _rather narrow, oblong, acute_.
PETALS _broader than the sepals and waved at the margin_. LIP _with a
heart-shaped crenulate plate (occasionally suffused with a rosy tint),
and a yellow 3-lobed callus at its base, the front portion of which is
longer than the lateral ones (which are turned inwards from the base
upwards), and split into two divergent members_. COLUMN _slender,
clavate, wingless_.
This pretty species was first described by Professor Reichenbach, from
materials derived from the collection of Mr. Warner, of Broomfield, in
compliment to whom he named it. It also flowered with the late Mr. Cauty,
of Liverpool, who kindly sent me the specimens from which the figure was
prepared, but these were smaller and less rich in their colouring than
those of Mr. Warner.
We have no precise information as to the locality where _O. Warnerianum_
grows wild, but there can be no doubt that it comes from some part of
Mexico, whence we have other species, _e.g._ _O. Rossii_, _O. Ehrenbergii_,
and _O. nebulosum_, to all of which it is nearly allied. It flowers in the
later autumn and winter months, but like most of the other members of its
section (_Leucoglossum_), is of a delicate habit, and requires to be very
carefully handled. It seems to prefer a moderate heat and perhaps a
slightly drier atmosphere than that in which the New Granada and Peruvian
Odontoglossa evidently delight; the compost or materials in which the roots
grow, should on no account be allowed to become sodden.
DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column (_magnified_), seen in front; 2. Ditto,
seen sideways.
PLATE XIII. FIG. 2.
ODONTOGLOSSUM STELLATUM.
STELLATE ODONTOGLOSSUM.
O. (LEUCOGLOSSUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovalibus compressis, foliis
solitariis lanceolatis recurvis, scapis erectis 1-2-floris brevioribus,
bracteis ovarii triquetri medium non attingentibus, sepalis petalisque
æqualibus linearibus acuminatis herbaceis, labello rhomboideo subrotundo
grosse dentato appendice unguis truncatâ quadridentatâ apice liberâ.
ODONTOGLOSSUM STELLATUM, _Lindl. in Bot. Reg._ 1841, _Misc._ 25; _Fol.
Orch._ _n._ 18.
ODONTOGLOSSUM EROSUM, _Reichenbach fil. Bonpl._ ii. 99; _A. Rich. Gal. in
Ann. Sc. Nat._ Jan. 1845.
Habitat in GUATEMALA, _Skinner_; MEXICO, _Hartweg_; VERAGUAS, _Warszewicz_.
DESCRIPTION.
PSEUDOBULBS _oval, compressed, about an inch long, glossy, bearing
solitary lanceolate somewhat recurved_ LEAVES, _which are shorter than
the upright 1-(rarely 2-)flowered_ SCAPES. BRACTS _not half so long as
the three-cornered ovary_. SEPALS _and_ PETALS _equal, linear, acuminate,
of a dull olive-green, with a few faint transverse streaks of brown on
their inner side_. LIP _white, rhomboidal, subrotund, with its edges
eroded, and its unguis, or claw, hollow, truncate, free, and divided at
top into two, or rather into four lobes, the two foremost of which
resemble teeth_. COLUMN _slender, wingless_.
There is an air of quaintness about this little _Odontoglossum_ which,
insignificant though it be, is spread over a range of territory far more
extensive than is occupied by any other member of the genus; for it has
been found in Mexico by Hartweg, in Guatemala (on the Volcan del Fuego) by
Skinner, and in Veraguas by Warszewicz!
At Knypersley, where the figure was taken, the species flowers freely in
the winter and spring, and is managed (in a cool house) without the
slightest difficulty.
DISSECTIONS.--1. Column and lip (_magnified_), seen sideways; 2. Ditto,
ditto, in front.
Plate XIV
[Illustration: Odontoglossum Alexandræ.]
PLATE XIV.
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ.
PRINCESS OF WALES' ODONTOGLOSSUM (BLUNT'S VARIETY).
O. (ISANTHIUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis 1- vel 2-phyllis,
racemo simplici multifloro foliis subæquali, bracteis minoribus
cochleatis acutis, floribus membranaceis pedicellis æquantibus, sepalis
petalisque sæpius subæqualibus (interdum petalis multo latioribus),
sepalis lanceolatis acuminatis petalis ovato-lanceolatis acutis
undulato-laceris, labello breviore unguiculato formâ diversissimâ, nunc
sepalis conformi nunc subpanduriformi, apice emarginato (sæpius mucrone
adjecto) margine undulato integro vel sæpius dentato acuto apice recurvo,
disco maculato, cristâ simplici bilamellatâ. Columna arcuata clavata,
alata, alis laceris.
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRÆ, _Bateman in Gardeners' Chronicle_, 1864; _et in
Proceedings R. Hort. Soc._ _p._ 186 (1864).
ODONTOGLOSSUM BLUNTII, _Reichenbach fil._
Habitat in NOV. GRANADA, prope Pacho, 7-8000 p., _Weir_, _Blunt_.
DESCRIPTION.
_An Epiphyte._ PSEUDOBULBS _smooth, slightly compressed, sometimes
broadly ovate, but occasionally tapering, 2 to 3 inches long, and bearing
1 or 2 linear lanceolate-pointed_ LEAVES, _which are from a few inches to
a foot long, and frequently of rather lax character; a reddish tint is
also sometimes met with both in the leaves and pseudobulbs_. RACEMES
_always simple, about the length of--sometimes longer than--the leaves,
and carrying from two or three to a dozen or more large membranous and
beautiful_ FLOWERS, _which vary exceedingly both in size, form, and
colouring. Usually they are from 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and about
equal to the pedicels_. BRACTS _about half an inch long, pointed, fitting
close to the stem_. SEPALS _lanceolate acuminate, white or rosy-white,
with sometimes one or more brown or purple spots on each_. PETALS
_usually--though not invariably--wider than the sepals, and resembling
them in form and colour, but destitute of spots; both in the sepals and
petals the edges are usually more or less curled or waved_. LIP _recurved
at the apex, exceedingly variable in its outline; in some examples almost
exactly resembling the sepals, in others taking more or less a
panduriform shape (in which case the apex, instead of pointed, is round,
emarginate, with a point or mucro); the edges too, which are sometimes
entire, are much more frequently jagged or toothed; the short unguis, or
claw, is longitudinally callose; and where it expands into the disk, ends
in two straight pointed and diverging teeth, which, like the claw, are
yellow, the rest of the lip being white, with or without spots of the
same character as those found in the sepals; there are a few red or brown
lines which radiate or spread out like a fan on either side of the teeth
composing the crest, but they do not, as in_ O. PESCATOREI, _form a
detached flap_. COLUMN _short, arched, club-shaped, with broad truncate
wings that are more or less jagged or fringed_.
This most charming _Odontoglossum_ was discovered in 1863 by Mr. Weir, at
an elevation of from 7000 to 8000 feet, in the gloomy forests that clothe
the slopes of the lofty mountain-ranges at the rear of the City of Santa Fé
de Bogotá. As the wild specimens of the flowers that he sent home to the
Horticultural Society indicated not only a new species, but one of
surpassing beauty, I did not hesitate at once to dedicate it to the
illustrious Princess whose name it will henceforth bear. Since the first
description of the plant appeared in the 'Gardeners' Chronicle' many living
plants have been received both by the Royal Horticultural Society and by
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., of Clapton, several of which have bloomed and,
even in their first feeble attempts to flower, have more than justified the
very high expectations formed of the plant which, as it gathers strength,
cannot fail to become an established favourite with all Orchid-lovers.
It proves to be a most variable species, and I am not surprised that my
accomplished friend Professor Reichenbach should have considered the first
examples sent to him from Clapton to differ so materially from those of _O.
Alexandræ_, as described by myself, as to justify his regarding them as a
distinct form, to which, in honour of Messrs. Low's very zealous collector,
he gave the designation of _Bluntii_. Since then, however, so many
intermediate varieties have made their appearance that it is clearly
impossible to regard the two supposed species as really distinct.
Specimens of the plant have been sent to me by Messrs. Low, Mr. W. W.
Buller, Mr. Rucker, Mr. Day, and Mr. Paterson; it has also flowered at
Knypersley, but as yet no two specimens have been alike for, while some
were beautifully spotted on the lip and petals with brown or crimson,
others, with the exception of the golden crest on the labellum, were of the
purest white. To the last-named class belonged the specimens grown by Mr.
Buller and Mr. Paterson, the latter of which were so eminently lovely that
they will form the subject of a separate Plate. Mr. Blunt's name may very
properly be associated with the spotted variety now figured, and which was
taken from a plant that he sent to his employers at Clapton.
_O. Alexandræ_ is nearly allied to _O. crispum_ and _O. Pescatorei_; but,
independently of the structure of its flowers, differs from both in its
invariably producing simple racemes instead of branched panicles. It
flowers freely in the winter and spring months, and may apparently be
cultivated with the greatest ease. Of course, coming as it does from a
great elevation, it must not be kept too warm.
DISSECTIONS.--1. Lip and column (_magnified_), seen in front. 2. Ditto,
ditto, seen sideways.
Plate XV
[Illustration: Odontoglossum Reichenheimii.]
PLATE XV.
ODONTOGLOSSUM REICHENHEIMII.
M. REICHENHEIM'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.
O. (ISANTHIUM, _Lindl._) pseudobulbis oblongis aggregatis diphyllis vix
sulcatis, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acutis scapo maculato laxe
paniculato 3-plo brevioribus, bracteis brevibus membranaceis, sepalis
petalisque subæqualibus oblongo-lanceolatis apiculatis, labello oblongo
basi cordato apice obtusato lobulato, callo tumido utrinque ante basin,
carinâ geminâ in imâ basi.