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Cyrtopodium (From kyrtos curved and pous)

(from kyrtos, curved, and pous, a foot; referring to the form of the labellum or lip). SYNS. Cyrtopera, Tylochilus. ORD. Orchideae. A genus of stove epiphytal Orchids, well worth cultivating where plenty of space can be allowed them. Ample pot room is most essential to successful culture. They thrive vigorously in a compost of rich fibrous loam and rotten dung. When growth is completed, and the plant about to flower, a long rest, with little water, should be given, until it recommences to grow in spring, when moisture may be freely applied to the roots, and the temperature increased. Cyrtopodiums require the heat of the East Indian house when in an active condition; at other times, a considerably lower temperature will suffice. C. Andersoni (Anderson's).* fl. produced in fine spikes; sepals and petals about equal, yellow, with a faint tinge of green; lip three-lobed, rich yellow, side lobes large, erect, middle lobe spathulate. Spring. Pseudo-bulbs 5ft. high. Tropical America, 1804. (B. R. 1841, 8.) C. flavum (yellow). fl. large, borne in spikes upwards of 2ft. high; sepals and petals rich yellow; lip nearly emerging out of the sepals, pale yellow, except the darker anterior part, where there are some beautiful brown dots on the anterior of the basilar pouch. h. 3ft. East Indies, 1831. C. punctatum (spotted).* fl., sepals and petals wavy, yellowish, spotted with brown; lip three-lobed, clear yellow, lateral lobes incurved and brownish-red; bracts large, greenish-yellow, with purplish spots; panicle large, many-flowered. April. Brazil. (B. M. 3507.) This is more floriferous than C. Andersoni, but not so tall. Even when out of flower, this species and the one just named form two noble plants, with their fine long curved leaves. They are, however, but rarely seen in cultivation.

C. sanguineum (blood-coloured). fl. produced on scapes 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high; sepals and petals varying from pale red-purple to brown; lip pale and rosy. Summer. Root tuberous. Tropical region of Sikkim. (B. M. 6161.)