  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 form diversissimÂ, nunc sepalis conformi nunc subpanduriformi, apice emarginato (sÆpius mucrone adjecto) margine undulato integro vel sÆpius dentato acuto apice recurvo, disco maculato, crist 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 Odontoglossum Reichenheimii.
Odontoglossum Reichenheimii. |
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