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Catasetum (From kata downward and seta)

(from kata, downward, and seta, a bristle; referring to the position of the two horns of the column). ORD. Orchideae. A large genus of strong, rapid-growing stove epiphytes, more curious than beautiful. Flowers generally green, in erect or drooping racemes from the base of the stem; sepals and petals of a firm, leathery texture. Leaves plaited, membranous. It is probable that if better known, this genus, as well as its allies, Cycnoches and Mormodes, would be more generally cultivated, as the singular structure of their flowers always commands a considerable amount of interest; while the manner in which the pollen masses of the Catasetums are ejected, is in itself a great curiosity. Another characteristic of the Catasetums and Cycnoches is the occasional production of two or three kinds of flowers on the same plant, sometimes on the same flower-spike. So dissimilar are these flowers, that, when first observed, they were considered to belong to distinct genera, and named respectively Calasetum, Monachanthus, and Myanthus, the first name being assigned to the large fleshy flowers furnished with horns or feelers, and which are now generally considered to be the seed-bearing flowers; the second to the hornless, sterile flowers; and the last to those which, together with other structural differences, bear the horns at the base, instead of the apex, of the column. When growing, too much water can scarcely be given them, provided they be well drained; but, when resting, they should be dried as thoroughly as a deciduous Dendrobe; the resting period to continue from the time the new growths are fully completed until they again begin to grow, no matter how long it may be, unless flower-spikes appear, in which case water should be given until the flowers are decayed. Catasetums may be grown with considerable success in pots, but baskets are much more satisfactory. C. barbatum (bearded). fl., sepals and petals narrow, green, and blotched with purple; lip green and pink, outer edge fringed, delicate fibres of a dull white, like a beard. May. Demerara, 1836. (B. R. 1778.) C. callosum (hardened).* fl. brownish-yellow; petals linear-lanceolate, same form as dorsal sepal; lip ovate-oblong, obtuse, saccate towards the base, crenated and furnished above the sac with a large orange-coloured callosity; column acuminate. June. h. 1ft. La Guayra, 1840. (B. M. 4219.) C. cristatum (crested). fl. greenish; perianth spreading; lip opened out, saccate, crested. August. h. 2ft. Brazil, 1823. (B. R. 966.) C. maculatum (spotted).* fl. green, spotted with purple, two inner calycine segments spotted; lip ciliated. September. h. 3ft. Mexico. (B. R. 26, 62.) C. Naso (nose-like-lipped). fl. white, purple; sepals oblong-lanceolate, complicate, equal to the ascending lanceolate petals; lip hemispherical, drawn out into an abrupt ovate fleshy blunt appendage at the apex, lacerated at the base; spikes short, erect. August. h. 2ft. Mexico, 1843. C. ochraceum (reddish-yellow). fl. yellow; sepals and petals ovate, secund; lip cucullate, entire, smooth, contracted into a short, broad, blunt, fleshy beak at the apex. Brazil, 1844.

C. Russellianum (Russell's).* fl. greenish; lip membranous, inflated in front, contracted at the mouth, the inner margin drawn out, undulated and fringe-crested in the disk. July. l. broad, lanceolate. h. 3ft. Guatemala, 1838.

C. saccatum (pouched).* fl. very large and extraordinary; sepals and petals spotted with rich purple; lip bright yellow, thickly covered with crimson spots; it is bored, as it were, in the middle, by a narrow opening, which leads into a deep chamber or sac, which is not observed till the back of the lip is turned up. March. Demerara, 1840. (L. S. O. 41.) C. scurra (dandy). fl. pale straw-colour or waxy white, fragrant. l. lively green, about 6in. long; bulbs about 1 1/2in. long. Demerara, 1872. Very curious, and with a compact habit. (G. C. n. s. vii., p. 304.) C. tabulare (table-formed-lip). fl. pale green. Guatemala, 1843. C. tridentatum (three-toothed). fl. yellowish-brown; two inner sepals spotted; lip galeate, three-toothed. April. Trinidad, 1822.