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Cirrhopetalum (From cirrhus a tendril)

(from cirrhus, a tendril, and petalon, a flower-leaf; in reference to the strap-shaped petals). SYN. Ephippium. ORD. Orchideae. In this somewhat extensive genus (about thirty species are known, but few are in cultivation) we have both very beautiful and equally curious species. They are closely allied to Bulbophyllum, from which genus, however, they may be distinguished by having their lateral sepals very much lengthened out. It is this peculiar elongation which gives them their distinctive appearance and peculiar charm. They are stove epiphytes, with roundish pseudo-bulbs, from the top of which proceeds a single fleshy leaf. Cirrhopetalums should be grown in baskets, or upon blocks of wood, suspended from the roof, in such a situation that they can receive a goodly share of sun, air, and light. They enjoy a plentiful supply of water during the summer months, and, even during winter, anything like drying-off should be carefully avoided, although, as a matter of course, much less water will be required. In syringing, care must be taken to avoid sprinkling the blossoms. When the plants are in flower, they will need shading from the sun's rays.

C. auratum (gold-edged).* fl. straw-colour, stained and striped with crimson and gold; scape produced from the base of the pseudo-bulb, very slender, bearing a crown or circular umbel of delicate blossoms. Spring. l. solitary, oblong, convex, coriaceous, deep green above, but wholly purplish-red on the underside. Pseudo-bulbs small, oval. Manilla, 1840. Rare and elegant. (B. R. 29, 61.) C. chinensis (Chinese). fl. large; upper sepals and petals purple; lateral sepals yellowish. China, 1840. A very curious species. (B. R. 29, 49.) C. Cumingii (Cuming's).* fl. rich reddish-purple, produced in great profusion, at various times of the year, and disposed in large, regular, circular umbels; lateral sepals extremely peculiar, 1in. long, linear, oblong, acuminate, projecting forward, and having a peculiar twist at the base, which brings the outsides of these two sepals on the same plane, their inner edges meeting together, like the elytra, or wing cases, of some insects of the Buprestis kind. Philippines, 1839. A charming species, but still rare. (B. M. 4996.) C. flagelliforme (whip-like). A synonym of C. Pahudii. C. Medusae (Medusa's).* fl. pale straw-coloured, dotted with pink, in dense heads, on an erect scape; two of the three sepals lengthened into thread-like points, 4in. or 5in. in length. Summer. l. solitary, oblong, emarginate, coriaceous, deep green. Pseudo-bulbs ovate, somewhat four-angled. Singapore, 1839. (B. M. 4977.) C. Pahudii (Pahud's). fl. reddish-brown, with bright red dots, disposed in a large umbel; sepals and petals turned back. l. dark green. Java, 1866. A very curious and interesting species. SYN. C. flagelliforme. C. Thouarsii (Thouars's).* fl. produced in umbels on the apex of the slender scape; the long strap-shaped sepals are of a tawny orange colour, whilst the remainder of the flower is yellow, dotted with red. Summer. l. solitary, oblong, obtuse, dark green, coriaceous. Pseudo-bulbs smooth, produced from a creeping rhizome or stem. Java, Manilla, &c. (B. M. 4237.) C. tripudians (dancing).* fl. brown, purplish-white, disposed in a nodding raceme of nine or ten blossoms. Burmah, 1876. This is described as a rather modest, but pretty, plant.