  ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIUMPHANS. SPLENDID ODONTOGLOSSUM. O. (Xanthoglossum, Lindl.) pseudobulbis ovatis 1-2-phyllis foliis lato lanceolatis acutis, basi attenuatis, racemo multifloro, bracteis triangularibus ovario pedicellato 4-5plo brevioribus, sepalis oblongo-acutis basi bene attenuatis, petalis subÆqualibus latioribus, magis acuminatis, utrinque hinc illinc lobulatis, labello unguiculato basi bifalci, utrinque bicalloso lamin pandurat apiculatÂ, columnÆ alis rhombeis ascendentibus margine externo erosulis. Odontoglossum triumphans, Reichenbach fil. Bonpl. ii. 99; Walpers Annales, vi. p. 831; Pescatorea, t. 46. Habitat in N. Grenada, Warscewicz. Ocana, 6000-8000 feet, Schlim, Wagener. DESCRIPTION. Pseudobulbs ovate, very similar to those of O. Hallii, bearing generally two stout sharp-pointed Leaves a foot or more long. Raceme many-(6-18) flowered, half a yard or 2 feet long, rather drooping. Bracts small and triangular, 4 or 5 times shorter than the ovary. Sepals 1½ to 2 inches long, oblong-acute, narrowed at the base. Petals about the same size as the sepals, but broader and more acuminate, sometimes diversely lobed on either side like the sepals, nearly covered with rich chestnut blotches on a bright yellow ground. Lip white with deep reddish blotches at apex, shorter than petals, unguiculate, pandurate, partially connate with the column, toothed at the edges, bicarinate at base, provided with Crest consisting of two sets of falcate teeth, extending about one-third of its own length. Column white, half the length of the lip, furnished with upright rhomb-like wings the edges of which are indented. This is a very fine species indeed, although it scarcely realizes the expectations excited by the figure in Pescatorea, whether as regards the size of the individual blossoms or their colour. In the fresh flowers the prevailing tone is a bright yellow, which serves as a foil to the rich brown or chestnut marking with which the sepals and petals are profusely covered, and which, though to a lesser degree, cover also the lip. But in Pescatorea the lip is represented as white, and as bearing at its upper extremity a rich blotch of bright purple which affords a beautiful contrast to the yellow and brown tints of the other parts of the flower. Probably the figure referred to may have been prepared from dried specimens and hence the mistake as to the colouring. There are many varieties of this species, some of the best of which were exhibited by Mr. Marshall of Enfield at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society as early as April, 1869. O. triumphans does not appear to be so plentiful in its native habitats as O. Hallii, O. luteo-purpureum, and many other N. Grenada kinds that now swarm in our collections. The range of elevation within which it grows is nearly identical with that of O. Hallii, hence the same treatment is suitable to both. It is easily grown and flowers freely. Dissections of Odontoglossum triumphans 1. Front view of lip and column; 2. Side view of ditto: magnified. Plate 24 Odontoglossum Krameri.
Odontoglossum Krameri. |
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