  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, carin gemin in im basi. Odontoglossum Reichenheimii, Reichenbach fil. in Bonpl. iii. 214; idem in Pescatorea, sub t. 19; Walpers, Annales, vi. fasc. 6. Lemaire in Illustr. Hortic. pl. 213. Habitat in Mexico, Ghiesbreght. DESCRIPTION. An epiphyte. Pseudobulbs oblong, slightly furrowed, from 2 to 4 inches long, clustered together. Leaves 2 on each pseudobulb, shining and leathery, oblong-lanceolate, pointed, about a foot long, much shorter than the scape. Scape upright or nodding, from 2 feet to a yard high, spotted, loosely panicled, bearing from 10 to sometimes probably 50 flowers. Bracts few, short, and membranous, fitting close to the stem. Sepals and Petals nearly equal, oblong-lanceolate, apiculate, about an inch long, greenish-yellow, barred with dark purplish-brown. Lip purple in some varieties, in others white, with a horseshoe-shaped band of purple on its disk, oblong, rather blunt, and slightly lobed at the apex, somewhat heart-shaped at the base, where there is a callosity on either side, and a double carina. Column very slightly winged. This pretty species is well figured in 'Pescatorea,' where it is stated to be a native of Mexico, whence it was introduced by M. Linden, of Brussels. It was from his establishment that I derived the plant that is represented on the other side, and which flowered at Knypersley in May last (1865). It appears to be very easily managed, requiring the same temperature and treatment as O. lÆve, to which it is nearly allied, and which forms the subject of the following Plate. It is also very closely related to O. Karwinskii; and I do not feel certain that the two may not eventually have to be united. At present, however, so few plants of either kind exist in the collections of this country, that the materials necessary for an extensive comparison are not forthcoming. The specific name was given by Professor Reichenbach in honour of M. Reichenheim, of Berlin, whose collection of Orchids and other plants has long been celebrated. Dissections.—1. Side view (magnified) of lip and column; 2. Front view of ditto. Plate XVI Odontoglossum lÆve.
Odontoglossum lÆve. |
|
