Epistephium
(from epi, upon, and stephas, a crown; at the base of the perianth there is a small toothed calyculus). ORD. Orchideae. A genus of half-a-dozen species of beautiful stove terrestrial Orchids, allied to Sobralia, natives of Southern tropical America. Roots fleshy, fibrous, underground. Perhaps the only one which has been introduced is that here described. It thrives in good fibrous loam and sand; perfect drainage and copious supplies of water are essential elements in its culture. Propagated by division. E. Williamsii (Williams's).* fl. bright reddish-purple, large; spike terminal, six to eight-flowered. l. very dark, shining. h. 1ft. Bahia, 1864. (B. M. 5485).