  ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE, Lindley. GREAT ODONTOGLOSSUM. O. (Xanthoglossum) pseudobulbis ovatis compressis diphyllis, foliis coriaceis oblongo-ensiformibus scapo simplici brevioribus, sepalis lanceolatis lateralibus convexis falcatis petalisque oblongis obtusiusculis latioribus subundulatis, labello subrotundo basi auriculato sepalis plus duplo breviore, disci crist apice truncat bituberculat utrinque in medio dente calloque auctÂ, columnÆ tomentosÆ auriculis rotundatis convexis incurvis. Odontoglossum grande, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 1840, Misc. 94; Bateman, Orchid. Mex. t. 21; Morren. Ann. Gand. i. t. 37. Habitat in Guatemala, Skinner, Hartweg. DESCRIPTION. Pseudobulbs compressed, broadly ovate, 2 or 3 inches long, bearing 1 or more frequently 2 leathery, oblong-ensiform Leaves, which, as well as the pseudobulbs, have always more or less of a pale-glaucous hue. Scape twice the length of the leaves, 4-8-flowered. Bracts sheathing, acute, half the length of the ovary. Flowers very large, in some varieties 7 inches or more from the tip of expanded petals. Sepals lanceolate, the lateral ones convex and falcate. Petals wider than the sepals, and, like them, of a rich yellow colour, marked with large deep-cinnamon bands and blotches, oblong, somewhat obtuse at their extremities, and slightly waved at the margin. Lip not half the length of the sepals, nearly round, whitish, with a few crimson stains near the crest, which is of rich orange-yellow, marked with deep-orange spots, and is seated on the disk of the lip; it consists of 2 large truncate processes in front, with 2 or 4 small teeth at its base; its auricles turn their edges down until they meet under the disk of the lip, and there grow together. Column downy, with a rounded, incurved, convex auricle on either side. Mr. Skinner was the fortunate discoverer of this noble Odontoglossum which to this day remains unsurpassed, even among all the fine additions that have of late years been made to the genus. Mr. Skinner found it in a "barranca" (or dark ravine) in the environs of the city of Guatemala, and so closely had it lain concealed that even his quick eye failed to detect it until long after he had, as he thought, exhausted the district of all its finest Orchids. It was afterwards met with in other localities, but invariably in a climate of which the ordinary range of temperature lay between 60° and 70°, and in situations where it was secure of abundant moisture and constant shade. In these peculiarities of its natural habitat the conditions of its successful cultivation are clearly pointed out; yet, strange to say, they were unheeded for twenty years, during which the plants in our Orchid-houses were always in a feeble and sickly state, rarely producing more than two or three flowers on a scape, while the imported specimens showed that at least double that number was the proper quota. Now, however, the case is different, for with a mild temperature and moderate shade they are found to be managed with the most perfect ease and to grow with a vigour that could never have been exceeded in their native wilds. In proof of this we need only turn to the vignette, which is copied from a beautiful photograph kindly sent to me by Joshua Saunders, Esq., and which represents a specimen of O. grande as it appeared when flowering in his collection at Clifton. As a further evidence of the ease with which the plant may be grown I may mention that under the care of Major Trevor Clarke it has been induced to bloom in the open air during the summer months. This, however, must only be looked upon as an interesting experiment and is not recommended for imitation. O. grande usually flowers in July or August, when the season's growth is nearly completed; after this it should be allowed to rest. Mr. Fitch's drawing was taken from a handsome variety that flowered last year (1864) in a north house at Knypersley, and which had been given me by Mr. Skinner.[5] Dissections.—1. Front view of column and labellum; 2. Side view of ditto: slightly magnified. Plant of Odontoglossum grande Plant of Odontoglossum grande in the collection of Joshua Saunders, Esq., copied from a photograph taken by himself. Plate IX Odontoglossum nÆvium.
Odontoglossum nÆvium. |
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