Brassavola
(named in honour of A. M. Brassavola, a Venetian botanist). ORD. Orchideae. A genus of epiphytal Orchids, requiring the heat of an intermediate house. Flowers large, usually with narrow acuminate greenish petals and sepals, and a white lip, which is sometimes broad; column having a pair of great falcate ears on each side of the front, and eight pollen masses. Leaves solitary, succulent. They are of easy culture on blocks of wood, with a little moss, suspended from the roof. Water should be plentifully given during the growing season; at other times, a very small quantity will suffice. About seventeen or eighteen species have been introduced, of which the following only are worth growing:
B. acaulis (stemless). fl. large; sepals and petals long, narrow, greenish and creamy-white; lip large, heart-shaped, and pure white; base of tube spotted with dull rose. September. l. very narrow, Rush-like. h. 4in. Central America, 1852. (P. F. G. ii., 152.) B. Digbyana (Digby's).* fl. solitary, 4in. across, produced from the top of the bulb; sepals and petals creamy-white; lip same colour, streaked with purple down the centre, and beautifully fringed. Winter. h. 9in. Honduras, 1844. A compact-growing evergreen. (B. M. 4474.) B. Gibbsiana (Gibbs's).* fl. white, spotted with chocolate, large, three on each spike. l. rather broad and very thick. This rare, erect-growing species must be potted in peat and sphagnum.
B. glauca (glaucous).* fl. solitary, produced from a sheath at the top of the bulb; sepals and petals yellow; lip orange, with a white throat. Early spring. l. of a milky-green. h. 1ft. Vera Cruz, 1837. A very handsome fragrant species, somewhat difficult to flower, but this obstacle may be overcome by liberally growing during the proper season, and giving it a severe dry rest. (B. M. 4033.) B. lineata (lined).* fl. large, very fragrant; sepals and petals creamy-white; lip large, pure white. l. long, terete, channelled above, tapering to a point, very deep green. South America, 1850. (B. M. 4734.) B. venosa (veined).* fl. small and compact; sepals and petals cream-coloured; lip white, strongly veined. A pretty free flowering species. Honduras, 1839. (B. R. 26, 39.)