  ODONTOGLOSSUM NÆVIUM, Lindley. SPECKLED ODONTOGLOSSUM. O. (Euodontoglossum) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis, foliis tenuibus lanceolatis basi angustatis scapo racemoso vel subpaniculato multifloro nutante subÆqualibus vel longioribus, sepalis petalisque angustis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis undulatis, labello subconformi pubescente vix hastato, cristÆ dentibus 2 grossis bi- vel subtrilobis pubescentibus, columnÆ cirrhis subulatis patulis. Odontoglossum nÆvium, Lindley in Paxton's Flower Garden, i. t. 18; 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. Plate X Odontoglossum carinatum.
Odontoglossum carinatum. |
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