  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 carin crass auctis pergameneis, labello membranaceo sessili ligulato dimidio anteriori subito in laminam reniformem denticulatam medio antice apiculatam extenso, lamellis rhombeis extrorsum biquadridentatis supinis utrinque in ligul labelli basilari, raphi utriusque lamellÆ carinat antrorsum in tres digitos excurrente, column elongatÂ, alis elongatis crenulatis hyalinis inferioribus 2 utrinque obtusatis, crassioribus column 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 Odontoglossum Lindleyanum.
Odontoglossum Lindleyanum. |
|
