  ODONTOGLOSSUM ANGUSTATUM. NARROW-PETALLED ODONTOGLOSSUM. O. (Isanthium) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis, foliis longis lato-lanceolatis erectis acutis panicul ramos elat brevioribus, bracteis carinatis acutis ovario multÒ brevioribus, sepalis petalisque subÆqualibus undulatis unguiculatis, labello ovato-lanceolato acuminato reflexo, cristÆ lamellis lateralibus membranaceis trifidis, digitis anterioribus majoribus, callo obtuso interposito, column apterÂ. Odontoglossum angustatum, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. sub t. 1992, Folia Orchid., 48; Rchb. fil.; Walper's Annales, vi. p. 841. Habitat in Peru, (alt. 8000 ft.,) Hall, Hartweg, Linden. DESCRIPTION. A very stately plant. Pseudobulbs ovate-oblong compressed, 2 or 3 inches long, 1 (or ? 2) leaved. Leaves one to one and a half feet long, linear-lanceolate acute, shorter than the upright branching zigzag many-flowered Panicles. Bracts keeled, acute, much shorter than the ovaries. Sepals and Petals nearly equal, unguiculate, acuminate, undulated, white with beautiful purple spots on their lower portions. Lip white, or nearly so, shorter than the petals, ovate-lanceolate, the apex acuminate and exceedingly recurved, having at its sides two membranous lamellÆ, divided into three unequal parts, those in front the larger and projecting forwards like horns or fingers with a blunt callus lying between them. Column not half the length of the lip, and destitute of wings. This is a very distinct species, as remarkable among Odontoglossa with its white and purple flowers, as is Oncidium incurvum, with blossoms of similar hues, among the innumerable members of that still more extensive genus. Although originally discovered by Colonel Hall more than a quarter of a century ago, no genuine plants—there have been impostors in plenty—seem to have reached Europe alive before the year 1871, when it was introduced by M. Linden; by whom also, in the following spring, flowering specimens were exhibited at South Kensington and universally admired. According to Lindley, the species is nearly allied to his O. ramosissimum, from which, indeed, he at one time failed to distinguish it. M. Linden's plant, which is faithfully rendered in Mr. Fitch's drawing, does not exactly answer to the descriptions in the Folia Orchidacea either of O. angustatum or O. ramosissimum, but is apparently a connecting link between the two, whence I infer the probability that both the above supposed species will eventually be found to be one and the same. The plant is still exceedingly scarce, and as it is indistinguishable in habit from many other Odontoglossa derived from the same rich country (Peru), I would warn cultivators against purchasing any specimens that have not actually proved themselves to be true. It belongs to the cooler sections of its race, and must be treated accordingly. Plate XXVII Odontoglossum coronarium.
Odontoglossum coronarium. |
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