Home › G › Goodyera (Named in honour of John)

Goodyera (Named in honour of John)

(named in honour of John Goodyer, a British botanist, who assisted Johnson in his edition of "Gerard's Herbal"). SYNS. Peramium, Tussacia. ORD. Orchideae. A genus of about twenty-five species of hardy, greenhouse, or stove terrestrial orchids, with flower-spikes issuing from the centre of the foliage, and thick, fleshy roots. Some species have their dark, velvet-like foliage marked like that of some Anoectochili. The greenhouse and stove sorts thrive best in small pots or shallow pans, in a compost of well-drained peat and sand, with a little loam; and require a liberal supply of water when in a growing state. Propagated by cuttings, taken with a piece of root to each, inserted in similar soil to that already mentioned, and placed under a bell glass. The hardy species should be grown in a shady position, and in moist, peaty soil, with which soft sandstone may be incorporated. The best species is undoubtedly G. discolor.

G. cordata (heart-shaped). fl. yellowish-brown; racemes usually several-flowered. September. l. few, oblong-acute, usually cordate at the base. Stem upright. India, 1840. Stove. SYN. Georchis cordata. G. discolor (two-coloured).* fl. pure white, with a lemon-yellow blotch on the lip, which is curiously twisted or contorted; spikes numerous, erect, about 10in. high, remaining a considerable time in perfection. Winter. l. 2in. long, 1in. broad, rich dark velvety-green, with interrupted longitudinal white stripes, more or less distinct. South America, 1815. Greenhouse. (B. M. 2055.) G. Dominii (Dominy's). l. larger than those of G. discolor, with a dark, bronzy, velvet-like appearance, and lightish longitudinal lines. A very handsome garden hybrid. Stove.

G. macrantha (large-flowered).* fl. pale rose, large, two or three at the ends of the shoots. June. l. ovate, acute, bordered with yellow; central parts dark green, reticulated with pale green lines. Japan, 1867. This pretty plant is nearly hardy. SYN. G. picta. (G. C. 1867, 1022.) G. picta (painted). A synonym of G. macrantha.

G. pubescens (downy).* fl. white. July. l. green, delicately veined with silver. h. 3in. North America, 1802. A very pretty little species, suitable for growing either in a cool house or pit, a cool fernery, or out of doors; in the latter case, it thrives best when planted under evergreen shrubs, in deep shade, and in a compost of peat and leaf mould. There is a pretty form of this, minor (figured in B. M. 2540).

G. repens (creeping). fl. white, with a sweet scent; spike spiral, secund. July. l. ovate, dark, evergreen. h. 6in. Northern hemisphere (Britain). This species thrives well in a leaf mould, in deep shade. (Sy. En. B. 1475.) G. rubicunda (reddish). fl. reddish. July. l. velvet-like, with three longitudinal bands of red down each leaf. Manilla, 1838. Stove. SYN. G. rubrovenia.

G. rubrovenia (red-veined). A synonym of G. rubicunda. G. Veitchii (Veitch's).* l. rich deep reddish-brown, with a few silver ribs. A vigorous hybrid between G. discolor and Anaectochilus Veitchii. Stove. G. velutina (velvety).* fl. white, shaded with rose or salmon; spike usually ten-flowered, terminal. l. ovate, acute, deep velvety, purplish-green, with a well-defined white costa. Japan, 1867. A very pretty, nearly hardy plant. (R. G. 533.)