Oncidiums
During winter, the temperature may be lowered to that of an intermediate house, viz., from 55deg. to 60deg. in the day, and 50deg. at night, and the moisture in the air and at the root be reduced to a minimum. The large-leaved, strong-growing species are best managed when planted in baskets or pots, with a good quantity of peat, sphagnum, and charcoal about their roots; whilst the smaller kinds may be fastened on to rafts or blocks, and suspended near the glass. These last must be watched during warm weather, and prevented from becoming parched; a dip in a pail of water once or twice a day being good for them, even when growing in a house where a continual, moist atmosphere is maintained.
The species requiring what is termed an intermediate house, such as is usually provided for Cattleyas, or even where shrubby Begonias are grown, may be treated as advised for the above as regards moisture, light, potting or rafts, and rest. A considerable number of Oncidiums belong to this intermediate section, some of the most familiar of them being O. crispum, O. Jonesianum, O. macranthum, O. Marshallianum, O. serratum, O. varicosum, &c. Probably, the most beautiful of the Oncidiums are to be found in this group, and if a collection of them were selected from those enumerated below, the wonderful form and exquisite beauty of their flowers would be a source of much greater delight than is generally understood to belong to the genus. The distinct and handsome O. Jonesianum is somewhat exceptional in its requirements, as it makes its growth during our autumn and winter, and should be kept as cool and dry as possible from April to September, the period when almost all the other kinds are growing vigorously.
Of the really cool species, there are yet many of remarkable beauty and distinctness. As they may be grown in a house or pit, from which in winter frost alone is excluded, and in summer the temperature kept cool, and the air as fresh and moist as possible, they may be enjoyed by those who do not care to provide heated structures for Orchids. Some of them--for instance, O. cucullatum and its forms--are found at very high elevations, where frost is frequent; and O. aemulum is equally cool in its native haunts. They require plenty of moisture, both at the root and in the air about them, all the year round; and generally, they succeed best when planted in pots, using for this purpose a mixture of peat, sphagnum, and charcoal.
Propagation is effected by division of the plants. A few of the species which produce long flower-racemes develop young plants in the axils of the branches of these, as in the genera Epidendrum and Phalaenopsis. In the following list of species, those marked T. are tropical, and require stove treatment; while those marked C. will thrive in a cool house. The remaining species require an intermediate temperature. O. acinaceum (scimitar-shaped). fl. about 1in. across; sepals white; petals large, violet, bordered with white; lip the same colour, shaded with carmine; spikes from 1ft. to 2ft. long. Peru, 1866. A distinct and elegant species. O. aemulum (rivalling).* fl. very large; dorsal sepal of a warm cinnamon colour, nearly reniform in shape; lateral sepals longer, of a yellowish-brown or cinnamon colour; petals very bright cinnamon, all the segments nicely crisped or wavy: lip marked with purple-violet, yellow at its base, with reddish-brown streaks. Peru, &c., 1872. A vigorous-growing species, a worthy rival to O. macranthum. (B. M. 5980.) [C.] O. alcicorne (stag's-horn). fl. yellow, with pallid streaks, panicled. l. ligulate. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, ancipitous. New Grenada, 1872. O. altissimum (tallest). fl. yellow; sepals and petals five, lanceolate, longer than the lip; scape panicled. August. West Indies, 1793. (B. M. 2990; B. R. 1851.) [C.] O. altissimum (tallest), of Lindley. A synonym of O. Baueri. O. ampliatum (broad-lipped).* fl. clear yellow, much paler on the under side; panicle ample, much branched, on a scape about 3ft. in height. Spring and early summer. l. solitary, large, thick, and fleshy in texture, of a bright shining green on the upper side, paler below. Pseudo-bulbs large, compressed, applegreen, streaked and spotted with reddish-brown. West Indies and Central America, 1832. This is one of the finest large-growing species of Oncidium in cultivation; it should be grown in a pot, and never be allowed to shrivel during the resting seasons. (B. R. 1699.) This is an excellent variety of this, majus. [T.] O. andigenum (Andine). fl. yellow, densely covered with small purple dots; column purple, crest of the lip deep golden-yellow; spike erect, from five to seven-flowered. Ecuador, 1869. A very choice species, with the habit of O. cucullatum. [C.] O. annulare (ringed).* fl. rich chestnut-brown; sepals with an exceedingly narrow yellow border; petals of the same shade of brown, but with a broad, shining apex and broader border of a very beautiful deep yellow, very wavy (they are coherent at their top, as if glued together, and thus form a ring); lip brown, with a yellow top, the crest with light yellow teeth, two lateral brown disks, yellow centre, and three purplish-violet small teeth before the apex. Summer. 1875. A grand species, closely resembling O. macranthum in pseudo-bulb, leaf, inflorescence, and general habit. O. ascendens (ascending). fl. yellow, with red in the region of the crest, and in the form of stains on the sepals and petals; characteristic on account of the incurved column-wings. Mexico and Central America, 1837. O. aurarium (golden). fl. of a fine yellow, spotted with brown; side lobes of lip rectangular; middle lobe triangular, light yellow, with a reddish-brown disk at base, over which are five light sulphur keels, ending in bristles; panicle 4ft. to 5ft. high, with numerous zigzag twigs. l. two, ligulate, acute. Pseudo-bulbs compressed, pear-shaped, ribbed, nearly 9in. high. Bolivia, 1884.
O. Balderiamae (Balderrama's). A synonym of O. Balderramae. O. Balderramae (Balderrama's). fl. light olive-yellowish-brown; upper sepal rather round, with a very narrow, light yellow border; side sepals unicoloured; petals curved, nearly complicate, crisp, with a yellow border; lip blunt. Summer. Columbia, 1872. Allied to O. metallicum. SYN. O. Balderiamae.
O. barbatum (bearded).* fl. from 1 1/2in. to 2in. across, but very variable in size; sepals lanceolate, with wavy margins of a pale yellow colour, barred with warm chestnut-brown; lateral sepals connate for half their length; petals oblong, with wavy margins of a clear golden colour, streaked with crimson-brown at the base only; lip triangular, lateral lobes clear golden-yellow, margins of the discal portion fimbriate, and spotted with brown, apical lobe rhombiform and clear yellow; spike from 1ft. to 3ft. long. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs roundish, ovoid, with a well-defined ridge up the centre, one-leaved. Guatemala to tropical America, 1818. (L. C. B. 27.) A very distinct and variable species, some of the varieties having their petals lanceolate, and barred with brown, like the sepals. [T.] O. b. ciliatum (fringed-lipped). fl., sepals and petals yellow, blotched with red; lip yellow, with fringed plates. Winter. Brazil, 1818. A pretty, compact plant, seldom growing more than 6in. high. (B. R. 1660, under name of O. ciliatum.) (T.) O. Barkeri (Barker's). A synonym of O. tigrinum.
O. Batemannianum (Bateman's). fl. bright yellow. Mexico, 1838. A very distinct and good species, about 1 1/2ft. high, and with pale green foliage; does not, however, blossom freely. There are several desirable varieties. [C.] O. B. ramosum (branched). fl. brilliant yellow, disposed in a very large panicle; sepals and petals banded with rich chocolate. Brazil. [C.] O. B. spilopterum (spotted-winged). fl. racemose; sepals and petals green outside, red inside; middle front tooth of the crest much larger than the others. Brazil, 1844. (B. R. 1845, 40, under name of O. spilopterum.) [C.] O. Baueri (Bauer's). A species often mistaken for O. altissimum, from which it differs in its scape being panicled from the very base, in its longer pseudo-bulbs, and in its sharply truncated column-wings. West Indies, &c. (B. R. 1651, under name of O. altissimum.) O. bicallosum (two-warted).* fl., sepals and petals dark brown; lip bright yellow; spike erect, many-flowered. Winter. l. solitary, dark green, thick, fleshy. Guatemala, 1842. A showy, dwarf-growing species. (B. M. 4148.) [T.] O. bifolium (two-leaved).* fl., sepals and petals greenish-brown, tinged with yellow; lip large, measuring sometimes as much as 1 1/2in. across, bilobed in front, and wholly rich golden-yellow in colour; racemes loose, about 1ft. long. Winter. l. oblong, often tinged with bronze. Pseudo-bulbs brownish, fluted, 1in. to 2in. high. Monte Video, 1811. (B. M. 1491.) A handsome, free-flowering, dwarf-growing species. The variety majus is, however, now most esteemed in cultivation; it differs from the type only in its larger size and handsome flowers. [T.] O. bifrons (two-faced). A synonym of O. Warscewiczii. O. brachyandrum (short-anthered). fl., sepals and petals cinnamon colour; lip yellow; peduncles slender, one or two-flowered. l. grassy, ligulate. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, flattened. South Mexico, 1871. A delicate little species. O. Brunleesianum (Brunlees'). fl., sepals and petals greenish-yellow, brownish towards their lips, the petals striped with brown, the lateral sepals connate and bidentate; lip broad, trifid; side lobes erect, yellow; front lobe purple-brown; callus of two straight, parallel keels, a few small tubercles between them, and two before them, yellow on white, with red bars. 1883. A pretty species.
O. bryolophytum (moss-plumed). fl. golden, standing singly among a moss-like mass of greenish, stellate, abortive flowers (whence the specific name); panicles elongated. Pseudo-bulbs pyriform, flattened. Central America, 1871. O. calanthum (beautiful-flowered).* fl., sepals and petals light yellow, somewhat oblong, nearly as long as the lip; lip broad, deep yellow, the crest of the lip and column being stained with red; spike long, many-flowered. Ecuador, 1870. A pretty and distinct, free-flowering species. (F. M. 384.) O. Carderi (Carder's).* fl. light coffee colour, with the petals half white, the superior part of the lip yellow, and the anterior pink, disposed in large panicles, equalling those of O. aemulum. l. linear-lanceolate, acute. Pseudo-bulbs oblong-ligulate, compressed. Columbia, 1875. A showy plant. [C.] O. carthaginense (Carthagenian). fl., sepals and petals five, obovate-unguiculate, a little shorter than the lip; scape panicled. Summer. h. 4ft. West Indies, 1791. [T.] O. c. sanguineum (bloody-blotched). fl. smaller than usual, pale yellow, with irregular bright crimson spots. (B. M. 3806, under name of O. Huntianum.) O. c. Swartzii (Swartz's). fl. whitish, variegated with ferruginous and purple; petals paler. (B. M. 777, under name of Epidendrum undulatum.) O. Cavendishianum (Cavendish's).* fl. yellow, produced in great abundance from strong, branching panicles. Winter. l. large, broad, fleshy, rich and lively green. Guatemala. (B. M. 3807, under name of O. pachyphyllum.) [T.] O. C. longifolium (long-leaved). This variety has large "flowers, in a dense panicle; lateral lobes of lip dolabriform; sepals and petals very blunt. l. long, spreading on the ground" (Lindley). SYN. O. longifolium. (B. R. 1842, 4.) O. Cebolleta (Cebolleta).* fl. yellowish-red, spotted; sepals and petals obovate-acute; middle segment of lip reniform, wavy; crest wavy, truncate; wings of column scimitar-shaped; scape panicled, stiff. Summer. l. terete, subulate. h. 1ft. Carthagena, 1824. (B. M. 3568; B. R. 1994.) [T.] O. cheirophorum (hand-bearing). fl. bright yellow, very sweet-scented, about 1/2 in. in diameter; scape slender, drooping, bearing an elongated, densely crowded cluster of blossoms. l. linear-lan-ceolate, 3in. to 6in. long. Pseudo-bulbs compressed, with sharp margins, about 1in. long. Panama, 1860. (B. M. 6278.) [C.] O. chrysornis (golden-bird). fl. yellow, with four or five cinnamon spots, very numerous, borne in a wide, zigzag panicle. l. one or two to a bulb, cuneate-lanceolate, acute. Pseudo-bulbs small, narrow, ligulate, shouldered. Ecuador, 1881. [C.] O. chrysothyrsus (golden-thyrsed).* fl., sepals and petals green, streaked with red; lip large, bright yellow; panicle branching, about 3ft. long, many-flowered. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, compressed, two-leaved. South Brazil, 1867. A very showy species, with a free, compact growth, and remaining in blossom for a long time. (W. S. O. ser. ii. 5.) O. ciliatum (fringed-lipped). A synonym of O. barbatum ciliatum. O. citrinum (citron-coloured). This is the correct name of plant described in this work as cyrtochilum citrinum.
O. concolor (one-coloured).* fl. rich golden-yellow, 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter; lip large and flat; racemes long, drooping, many-flowered. Early summer. Organ Mountains, 1839. A very distinct and singular species. (B. M. 3752.) [C.] O. cornigerum (horn-bearing).* fl. yellow, spotted with red, very showy, disposed on a prettily-marked spike, which is formed after the growth is mature. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs 9in. long, bearing deep green leaves of a peculiarly thick and fleshy texture. Brazil, 1829. Very distinct. (B. M. 3486.) [C.] O. crispum (curled-petaled).* fl. from 1in. to 2in. across; sepals and petals of a bright rich copper-colour; lip broad, similar in hue, the centre being blotched with golden-yellow; raceme erect, many-flowered. Winter. l. twin, oblong, often tinged with bronze. Pseudo-bulbs brownish, fluted, 1in, to 2in. high. Organ Mountains, Brazil. (B. M. 3499; B. R. 1920.) There are several varieties of this very distinct species, all more or less beautiful. The following are most desirable: grandiflorum, having the flowers unusually large (F. M. 485); marginatum, in which the sepals and petals are broadly margined with rich golden-yellow; and olivaceum, with olive-green flowers, having the basal area of the front lobe of the lip yellow, and the calli, column, wings, and a few blotches at the base of the lip, purple-black. O. crista-galli (cockscomb). fl. lemon-colour, having a few pink blotches on both sepals and petals, rather large, racemose. l. cuneate-ligulate. Peru, 1870. An elegant, small-growing species.
O. Croesus (Croesus). fl., sepals and petals greenish-yellow, tinged with brown; lip large, rich golden-yellow, the crest prominent and deep velvety black; scapes short, few-flowered. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs slender, tapering upwards, supporting a pair of light green leaves. Tropical America, 1872. A pretty, dwarf-growing species. (F. M. n. s. 40.) O. cruciatum (cruciate). fl., sepals and petals bright yellow and red, the sepals mostly obovate-obtuse, the petals ligulate; lip trifid, white, with two additional slender horns over the lateral ones; panicle loosely-flowered. Winter. l. solitary, obscurely nerved, somewhat coriaceous, acute. Pseudo-bulbs clustered, nearly cylindrical, furrowed. Brazil, 1838. SYN. O. pubes flavescens. (B. M. 3926.) O. cryptocopis (hidden-sword). fl. chestnut-brown, with yellow streaks, and a yellow margin around the crisped and toothleted sepals and petals; superior petal with a long claw and two auricles at its base; lower petals with very short and broad claws; lip highly curious, having triangular laciniae, of a purplish-brown colour, with a bent forward anterior part, and many toothlets on the posterior side; the claw whitish flesh-colour, and the border sulphur-yellow; wings purplish-brown, with two swordblade-like laminae under the stigmatic hollow; spike many-flowered. Spring. Peru, 1870. A rare species, having flowers as large as those of O. serratum. (B. M. 5858.) O. cucullatum (hooded).* fl. usually purplish-brown, with a large lip, which is rosy-lilac or rosy-purple, spotted with deep purple; spike slender, erect, bearing from three to six or more beautiful blossoms. l. solitary, linear-oblong, acute. Pseudo-bulbs small, oblong. Peru, New Grenada, &c. This very variable, dwarf species may be grown either upon a block of wood or in a pot; it must never be dried off, but kept slightly moist all the year round, when it will prove almost a perpetual blossomer. (L. & P. F. G. 87.) There are a number of varieties of this species; all are handsome, and last a long time in full beauty. [C.] O. c. flavidum (yellowish). fl., sepals and petals yellow, blotched with brown; lip purple, margined with white. Spring. New Grenada. Similar in habit to the type, and most desirable. [C.] O. c. giganteum (giant). This is simply a fine variety, differing from the type only in its large flowers and more robust habit. [C.] O. c. macrochilum (large-lipped).* fl., sepals and petals rich plum and crimson; lip mauve, spotted with dark violet. New Grenada. A distinct variety, growing about 1ft. high, and producing flower-spikes 2ft. in length, upon which are borne its beautiful flowers. [C.] O. c. nubigenum (cloud-born). fl., sepals and petals brownish, with a crimson or nearly crimson hue, or striped with crimson lines; lip very variable, but generally white, yellow at the base, marked with violet or purple. Andes, 1867. SYN. O. Denisonianum. (B. M. 5708.) [C.] Other varieties are: Dayanum, white, purple; Phalaenopsis, brown, white, purple, yellow; and spathulatum, sepals and petals spotted, lip spotted at base.
O. curtum (shortened). fl., sepals and petals yellow, barred and blotched with cinnamon-brown; lip golden-yellow, spotted towards the margin with dark purple; spikes long, branching, many-flowered. Spring. Brazil, 1875. A very handsome and distinct species, of compact growth, and resembling O. crispum in foliage and shape of the pseudo-bulbs. (B. R. 1847, 68.) O. dactylopterum (finger-winged). fl. yellow, with brown spots, disposed in small, loose panicles. l. linear-lanceolate. Pseudo-bulbs pyriform. Columbia, 1875.
O. dasystyle (thick-styled).* fl., sepals ochre colour; petals brownish-purple; lip bright yellow, with a long purple callus, and some purplish veins on the base. January. h. 6in. Brazil, 1873. (B. M. 6494.) A handsome. dwarf-growing species.
O. decipienes (deceptive). fl. yellow; upper sepals obtuse, lateral ones acute; petals obtuse, undulated, larger; lateral lobes of lip small, almost round, unguiculate; middle lobe much larger, bilobed; scape simply, usually one-flowered. l. ensiform, shortly equitant. h. 3in. Mexico, &c., 1835. (B. R. 1911, under name of O. iridifolium.) O. deltoideum (triangular). fl. yellow, arranged in a large, stiff, compact panicle; sepals and petals whole-coloured; crest of the lip reaching more than half-way from the base to the point, consisting of numerous straggling warts and teeth. Peru, 1836. (B. R. 2006.) O. Denisonianum (Denison's). A synonym of O. cucullatum nubigenum. O. diadema (diadem).* fl. about 100 to a stem; sepals and petals shining chocolate-brown; lip fine yellow; the extremities of the petals, joined together above the column, present the aspect of a diadem (whence the specific name); flower-stem 2ft. to 3ft. high, branched. Pseudo-bulbs large. Cool region of equatorial America, 1866. [C.] O. diadema (diadem), of gardens. A synonym of O. serratum. O. dimorphum (two-formed). fl. yellow, spotted with brown, paniculate; lip sometimes three-lobed, and sometimes almost entire. l. oblong-lanceolate, bluntish. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, compressed. Brazil, 1870. (R. G. 637, Figs. 4-6.) O. diodon (two-toothed). fl. brown; lip emarginate, square, with a light yellow callus. Pseudo-bulbs like those of O. macranthum. 1880. O. divaricatum (spreading).* fl. produced on long, branching spikes; sepals and petals yellow, blotched and barred with brown; lip orange-yellow. Summer. h. 1 1/2ft. Brazil, 1826. An easily-grown, free-flowering species. (B. R. 1054; L. B. C. 1212.) O. dubium (doubtful). fl., upper sepal brown, edged with white; lateral ones white, with obscure purple dots; lip pandurate, the front lobe brown, margined with white, lateral lobes streaked with violet. l. minute, carinate, 2in. to 2 1/2in. long. Plant bulbless, of dwarf habit. (I. H. 1873, 184.) O. elegantissimum (very elegant). fl., sepals brown, with narrow, yellow bands; petals broad, with a few yellow spots; lip very bright yellow, the anterior limb beautifully marbled and dotted with light brown, and the calli of the base with black-purplish borders; panicle large, many-flowered. Winter. Brazil (?), 1877. [T.] O. endocharis (beautiful). fl. bright orange, about five; sepals and petals cuneate-oblong, acute; lip ligulate, with a broader, rhombic, emarginate blade, with two large lamellae and three teeth at the base; raceme slender. 1884. A small species.
O. Eurycline (Eurycline). fl., sepals and petals light reddish-ochre, with a few dark bars at their base; lip yellow, with a brown spot on the isthmus; basal auricles rounded, retrorse, narrower than the front blade. l. blunt. 1884.
O. euxanthinum (beautiful yellow).* fl., sepals and petals small, greenish-yellow, banded with brown; lip large, rich yellow; spikes ample, many-flowered. Brazil, 1869. A very pretty species, with the habit of O. bifolium. (B. M. 6322.) O. exasperatum (rough). fl. chestnut colour, having asperities on the outer side of the sepals and petals; lip yellowish, with brown bars and an orange callosity. Ecuador, 1871.
O. excavatum (hollowed).* fl., sepals and petals golden-yellow, spotted and blotched at the base with rich bright brown; lip golden-yellow, very convex at the base, a little hollowed out in front, and excavated with a deep pit in the under side; panicle much branched, sometimes bearing upwards of a hundred blossoms. l. long, pale green. Pseudo-bulbs large, pale green. Peru, 1840. A robust-growing species. (B. M. 5293.) In a variety sometimes known as O. aurosum, the flowers are dark brown in the centre, and somewhat larger in size than those of O. excavatum.
O. flexuosum (zigzag).* fl. yellow, spotted with brown, rather small, produced in abundance on a branched panicle 3ft. to 4ft. high. Pseudo-bulbs flat, borne at short intervals on a creeping stem, two-leaved. Brazil, 1818. A free-flowering species, of easy culture. (B. M. 2203.) The variety known as majus has much larger flowers, while that known as radiatum has beautiful, radiating, purplish-brown lines on the disk.
O. Forbesii (Forbes').* fl. large and very distinct; sepals, petals, and lip, with pale yellow edges, broad, the centre reddish-brown, except the eye or throat, which is white. November. Brazil, 1837. A beautiful species, nearly allied to O. crispum, but of stronger habit, and with much handsomer flowers. (B. M. 3705.) O. F. Borwickianum (Borwick's). A handsome variety, having the whole lip bright yellow, with feathered blotches in lieu of a wide, brown, one-coloured disk, and a yellow spotted margin. 1879. (G. C. n. s., xi. 524.) O. fuscatum (brown-stalked). A synonym of Miltonia Warscewiczii. O. Gardneri (Gardner's). fl. brown, with a yellow lip, moderately large. "Very near O. crispum and Forbesii, from which it differs in the form and tuberculation of the lip, and the very small column-wings" (Lindley). Brazil. O. Gautieri (Gautier's). fl. small, disposed in few-flowered racemes; sepals and petals dark brown, lanceolate; lip subcordate, semi-orbicular, crenulato-undulate, broader than long, yellow, with a deep blood-red spot, from which projects a long, curved, yellow horn. l. linear-lanceolate, coriaceous. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, sulcate, one-leaved. Brazil, 1869. (R. G. 611, Fig. 2.) O. globuliferum (globule-bearing). fl. golden-yellow, with red spots at the base of sepals, petals, and lip; sepals cuneate-oblong, acute; lip sagittate; peduncles axillary, branched, long or short. l. ligulate, small. Pseudo-bulbs small, glaucous, oblong, produced at long intervals on the slender, creeping, filiform rhizomes. Columbia.
O. g. costaricense (Costa Rica). This is considered to be only a local variety, with smaller flowers. Costa Rica, 1871.
O. glossomystax (bearded-tongued). fl. light yellow, with a few brown blotches, rather large, almost sessile, having two pairs of keels on the basilar disk of the lip, all of which are covered with white hairs. New Grenada, 1880. A minute plant, with Iris-like leaves. O. graminifolium (grass-leaved). fl. disposed in a sub-paniculate raceme; lip yellow, wedge-shaped, with rounded angles. l. linear-ensiform, acute, erect, shorter than the raceme. Mexico. [C.] O. g. filipes (thready). fl. sepals and petals brownish, clouded; lip emarginate, somewhat lobed; raceme nearly or quite as long as the scape. (B. R. 1841, 59, under name of Cyrtochilum filipes; L. S. O. 48, under name of O. filipes.) O. g. Wrayae (Wray's). fl. panicled; sepals and petals bright yellow, with deep brown spots; lip emarginate, somewhat four-lobed. (B. M. 3854, under name of O. Wrayae.) O. grandiflorum (large-flowered). fl. closely resembling those of O. macranthum, but the petals are more acute, and both the petals and odd sepal are more crisp, embellished by a yellow border; lip with a spathulate lacinia, and a quite distinct, flat callus, totally wanting the keel of the middle line; peduncle very large, many-flowered. Summer. Columbia, 1881. A very beautiful but rare species.
O. gyrobulbon (twisted-bulbed). fl. yellow, with dark spots at the base of the lip; inflorescence panicled. Pseudo-bulbs oblong-pyriform, at length becoming twisted. 1869. [C.] O. haematochilum (bloody-lipped). fl., sepals and petals greenish-yellow, blotched with chestnut; lip rich crimson and rose; spikes erect, with several moderate-sized blossoms. Winter. l. short, thick, fleshy, dark green. h. 6in. New Grenada, 1857. A compact-growing species, similar in habit to O. Lanceanum. (L. & P. F. G. 6.) [T.] O. Harrisonianum (Harrison's). fl. yellowish-purple, spotted; sepals and petals linear obtuse; lip three-lobed, middle segment emarginate; crest five-lobed, downy in the centre; panicle branched, many-flowered. Autumn. l. fleshy, linear-oblong, acute, recurved. Pseudo-bulb sub-globose, one-leaved. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1830. (B. R. 1569.) O. hastatum (halbert-shaped). fl., sepals and petals yellowish, with many brown dots; lip yellowish-white, with a darker yellow callus; inflorescence panicled. Mexico.
O. hebraicum (Hebrew). fl. yellow, with dark maroon blotches, growing in long, slender, short-branched panicles; lip having a small blotch on each auricle, and a similarly coloured patch around and before the crests. l. cuneate-ligulate. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, compressed, wrinkled. New Grenada, 1875.
O. Hrubyanum (Hruby's). fl. brown, barred with yellow at the bases of the sepals and petals, small, in a dense panicle. 1883. A curious species. O. Huntianum (Hunt's). A synonym of O. carthaginense sanguineum. O. hyphaematicum (blood-red). fl. blood-red on the outside, large; sepals and petals purplish-brown, blotched with a deeper hue of the same colour; lip rich deep yellow; raceme loose, branching. Summer. l. solitary, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse. Pseudo-bulbs small, oblong. Ecuador, 1869.
O. incurvum (incurved).* fl. pure white, streaked and blotched with lilac and brown, very fragrant, rather small in size; scapes about 3ft. in height, much branched, bearing an immense number of flowers. Autumn and winter. l. pale green, as are also the pseudo-bulbs. Oaxaca, Mexico, 1839. A very elegant, dwarf, compact-growing, cool-house species. (B. R. 1845, 64.) [C.] O. i. album (white). A handsome, white-flowered variety. 1882. (I. H. 444.) O. insculptum (carved). fl. of a cinnamon-brown colour, with a yellowish-white border, undulated, disposed in large panicles; lip pale yellow at the base. Tropical America, 1872.
O. Jamiesoni (Jamieson's). fl. yellow, spotted with violet-purple; upper sepals, and the unguiculate, hastate petals, with basal or median purple blotches; lip bright yellow, broad, pandurate; inflorescence large. Peru, 1878.
O. janeirense (Rio de Janeiro). A synonym of O. longipes. O. Jonesianum (Jones').* fl., sepals and petals whitish-ochre, with brown blotches, cuneate-oblong, wavy, erect; lip with small, light yellow auricles and a white blade, marked with a few purple and brown blotches; callus of two patellar bodies, the smaller one in front, and traversed by a strong keel. l. subulate, thin.
O. Kappleri (Kappler's). fl. yellow, brown; column-wings crisp, lobed, extended into a toothed, truncated, ligulate appendage at the base, resting on a pair of projecting angles. l. ensiform, similar to those of O. altissimum. Surinam, 1880.
O. Kienastianum (Kienast's). fl. yellowish-brown at first; petals yellow, with numerous brown bars and spots; afterwards, the colour deepens, and the stalked ovaries are dark purplish; otherwise, the flowers resemble those of O. trilingue. l. and pseudo-bulbs similar to those of O. serratum. Peru, 1878. O. lamelligerum (ridge-bearing). fl., upper sepal deep brown, with a yellow border, reniform, wavy, stalked; lower ones longer, stalked, oblong, unequal at base, cuneate on one side, semihastate on the other; petals yellowish, with brown patches, having broad claws, suddenly hastate, oblong, obtuse, undulate, complicate, crisp; lip trifid, with remarkable lamellae, the side ones of the anterior retrorse and lobed. Ecuador, 1877. [C.] O. Lanceanum (Lance's).* fl. with an exquisite fragrance of vanilla; sepals and petals large, thick, and fleshy, ground-colour yellow, tinged with green, barred and blotched with chocolate-brown, in some instances almost with crimson; lip large, rich violet in its lower portion, rose above; spike erect, many-flowered. l. thick, leathery, large, bright green, beautifully spotted with reddish-brown. Demerara and Surinam, 1834. A very handsome plant, considered by some growers to be the best of the genus; it is, however, rarely seen in good condition. (B. R. 1887.) There is a most desirable variety in which the lip is pure white. In another form (Louvrexianum) the flowers are yellow, prettily spotted and marbled, the lip deep mauve at the base, white in front. [T.] O. Lansbergii (Lansberg's). fl. honey-yellow-green, with blotches of chestnut colour, three or four in a slender raceme. l. cuneate, cordate-oblong, obtuse, very cartilaginous. Pseudo-bulbs minute, one-leaved. Venezuela, 1876. O. Lemonianum (Sir Charles Lemon's). fl. yellow, marked along the back with red spots, about 3/4in. in diameter; lip of a brighter colour, very handsomely spotted with red; column also yellow; spike 10in. long, and about six-flowered. Summer. Cuba, &c., 1836. A pretty and curious species, of very dwarf growth. (B. R. 1789.) [C.] O. lepidum (charming). fl. yellowish, blotched with brown, disposed in a large panicle; lip yellow, purple towards the base. Ecuador, 1870. A small species. O. leucochilum (white-lipped).* fl., sepals and petals greenish, transversely streaked with bands of brown, or, in some varieties, deep crimson, or in unison, lanceolate, undulate; lip large, at first pure white, but subsequently becoming yellow or yellowish; scapes stout, much branched, 6ft. to 10ft. in height. Winter. Pseudo-bulbs two-leaved, large, of a glaucous hue, and fluted. Mexico and Guatemala, 1835. SYN. Cyrtochilum leuco-chilum (F. d. S. 522). O. l. Dawsonianum (Dawson's). fl. large; sepals and petals greenish-yellow, with blackish-maroon spots; lip yellowish-white, marked with purplish-violet. Mexico, 1873. A very fine variety.
O. l. speciosum (showy). fl., sepals and petals sub-elliptic; lip pure white in all its stages. Mexico, 1874.
O. Limminghei (Limminghe's). fl. golden-yellow, richly spotted with brown; lip auricled, blunt, spreading; peduncle filiform, one or two-flowered. l. oblong-flowered. l. oblong-acute. Pseudo-bulb ovate, ancipitate. Caraccas, 1868. A very singular species, with habit similar to that of a Sophronitis. (F. d. S. 1827.) [C.] O. linguiforme (tongue-shaped). fl. yellow, with a pale purplish lip, which is pandurate, obtuse, and has three keels on the basal part, the middle one being much the shortest; panicle lax, at the end of a very long, weak scape. Venezuela, 1879. Plant of large growth.
O. litum (daubed). fl., petals brown, with a yellow border; lip yellow, blotched with brown on the hinder part, and entirely brown in front; the callus consists of a central ligulate body, with two blunt front lobes, covered with blunt papillae, and on each side is a curved line of papillae. Brazil, 1883.
O. longifolium (long-leaved). A synonym of O. Cavendishianum longifolium. O. longipes (long-stalked). fl., sepals and petals greenish-yellow, streaked or suffused with reddish-brown; lip broad, of a rich deep yellow, the crest being prominent, and surrounded by a broad, blood-coloured ring; scape slender, few-flowered. Summer. l. twin, narrow, fleshy. Pseudo-bulbs in clusters, from a creeping rootstock. Organ Mountains. A very dwarf-growing species. SYN. O. janeirense. [C.] O. luridum (lurid). fl. usually of a dull yellow or olive-green, blotched or spotted with brown; panicle long, much branched, attaining sometimes the length of 8ft. or 9ft, many-flowered. l. large, fleshy, with a sharp keel behind, and of a dark green colour. Mexico, &c., 1822. A very desirable but not showy species. (B. M. 3603.) [T.] O. l. Dodgsoni (Dodgson's). A splendid but rare variety, having orange and yellow flowers, barred with dark brown, and numerously disposed on much-branched spikes 7ft. long. West Indies.
O. l. guttatum (spotted). A fine form, producing long spikes of yellow, brown, and red flowers. (B. R. 1839, 16.) O. l. Morreni (Morren's). fl. pale rose colour, spotted with crimson, and tipped with yellow.
O. l. roseum (rosy). fl., sepals and petals rosy, mottled with white, and bordered with yellow.
O. macranthum (large-flowered).* fl. from 3in. to 4in. in diameter; sepals and petals roundish, oblong, thick, tough, and leathery in texture, golden-yellow, tinged with purplish-brown or purplishred, the petals being also often streaked with crimson; lip hastate, thick and fleshy, with a white crest, the middle lobe being yellow, and the lateral ones rich purplish-brown; panicle climbing and branched, producing a large number of flowers. Spring and early summer. l. narrow, 1ft. long, bright green. Pseudo-bulbs 3in. long, flask-shaped, much ribbed. Central America to Peru, 1867. One of the handsomest orchids grown. It has numerous varieties, some being of very second-rate merit. (B. M. 5743; F. M. 386.) O. macropus (long-stalked). fl. yellowish, with a few transverse blotches and bars, panicled. Pseudo-bulbs resembling those of O. macranthum. Ecuador, 1868. O. maculatum (spotted). The proper name of plant described in this work as Cyrtochilum maculatum.
O. Marshallianum (Marshall's).* fl. from 2in. to 3in. across, of a rich golden-yellow, marked with brown spots and blotches. South America, 1866. A handsome plant, closely resembling O. crispum, but its pseudo-bulbs and leaves are pale green instead of reddish-brown or bronze-coloured. (B. M. 5725.) O. Martianum (Martius'). fl., sepals and petals bright yellow; lip very large, deep yellow on the upper side, almost white underneath. Autumn. Brazil, 1841. A very handsome species, thriving best when grown on a block, suspended from the roof. O. bicolor (B. R. 1843, 66) only differs from this in the petals being spotted.
O. Massangei (Massange's). fl. in a long, racemose panicle; sepals and petals yellow, blotched with purple-brown to just above their middle; lip with oblong, truncate, spreading auricles at base, and a broad, dilated, bilobed front part, yellow, with a band across the base of each auricle, and at the base of the dilated front part, of purple-brown; crest also spotted with purple-brown. l. linear, acute, 1ft. or more long, 1 1/2in. broad. Central America, 1878.
O. meirax (boy). fl. with little yellow and brown spots; sepals and petals linear, a little narrowed at the base; lip cordate, acuminate; scape two-flowered. l. solitary on the oblong pseudo-bulbs, slightly emarginate. Caraccas and New Grenada, 1880. A singular plant, only a few inches high. (R. X. O. t. 18) [C.] O. melanops (black-eyed). fl. light yellow, with the bases of the sepals, petals, and lip blackish-purple. Ecuador, 1881. In habit, this species resembles O. chrysornis.
O. meliosum (honey-scented). fl. very rich yellow, with cinnamon blotches; small sepals, as well as the much larger petals, retuse; basilar auricles of the lip square, the isthmus middle-sized, and the anterior part reniform; column very small, of the most pallid sulphur-white, as well as the callus; panicle branched. Summer. l. cuneate-oblong, ligulate, acute. Pseudo-bulbs oblong. 1882.
O. metallicum (metallic). fl. rich chestnut-brown, with a splendid metallic hue; the borders of the short, ovate, broad, superior sepal and smaller petals blotched with rich yellow; lip pandurate, with an angle projecting from each side. New Grenada, 1876. Very distinct.
O. Millianum (Mill's). fl. bright yellow, mottled with brown, the five sepals and petals nearly equal; lip bent at the base, brown in the middle; column very short, two-winged; panicle ample, loose-flowered, diffuse. Spring. l. ligulate, obtuse. Pseudo-bulbs ligulate, compressed. Columbia, 1878. O. monoceras (one-horned). A synonym of O. unicorne. O. nigratum (blackish). fl. cream colour, with dark blackishbrown spots and bands, disposed in branched panicles; sepals and petals linear-lanceolate, equal, and wavy. Guiana.
O. oblongatum (oblong-leaved).* fl. bright yellow, of good size. Winter. l. bright green, oblong, about 1ft. long. Pseudo-bulbs short, thick. Guatemala, &c., 1844. A handsome, free-flowering species. (L. & P. F. G. ii. 9) O. obryzatum (refined). fl. bright golden-yellow, barred with brown, about 1in. across, yielding a delicious perfume; spikes numerous, long-branched, and many-flowered. Winter. Peru, 1863. An easily-grown and very free-flowering species. (R. G. 925.) O. octhodes (tubercled). fl. yellow, having the lip painted with brownish bars, large, distinct, borne in an effuse panicle. Ecuador, 1871. A handsome orchid. [C.] O. onustum (loaded). fl. rich golden-yellow, disposed in dense, nodding racemes. Winter. Panama, &c., 1848. A handsome species, with the habit of O. bifolium, but the pseudo-bulbs are beautifully spotted. O. ornithorhynchum (bird's-bill).* fl. soft rose-purple, yielding a perfume some what resembling that of the Heliotrope, but less powerful: scapes produced in great abundance, and the gracefully drooping panicles thickly laden with the comparatively small blossoms. Autumn and winter. l. twin, oblong. Pseudo-bulbs glaucous, 1in. to 2in. high. Mexico, &c. 1826. A well-marked and very distinct species, of compact, dwarf-growing habit. (B. M. 3912; B. R. 1840, 10.) [C.] O. o. albiflorum (white-flowered).* A valuable acquisition as a winter blossomer, having snow-white flowers. It is, however, very rare. Guatemala, 1873. Sometimes known as O. o. album. (F. M. 398.) [C.] O. pachyphyllum (thick-leaved). A synonym of O. Cavendishianum. O. Papilio.* Butterfly Plant. fl. pale golden-yellow, barred with chestnut-brown, usually solitary and terminal on the spike, some-what resembling a large butterfly in shape; sepals long, narrow, erect, bearing a fanciful resemblance to the antennae and proboscis of a butterfly; petals extending horizontally to form the wings, and the lip representing the body. l. deep olive-green, beautifully streaked and spotted with reddish-brown. Pseudo-bulbs somewhat compressed, one-leaved. Trinidad, 1823. A remarkable and beautiful plant. It succeeds best upon a large block of wood, and with good exposure to sun and light. The flowers are often 2in. across. The old spikes should not be cut off, as new buds are continually developed at the apex. (B. M. 2795; B. R. 910.) [T.] There are some striking varieties of this species, of which the following are noteworthy:
O. P. album (white). A very rare form, with white flowers. O. P. Eckhardti (Eckhardt's). A fine and large-flowered variety. (I. H. 500.) O. P. Kramerianum (Kramer's).* fl. rich golden-yellow, with a profusion of irregularly disposed, bright brown spots and blotches; the margins of the lip and lateral sepals beautifully undulated and crisped; spike long, contracted at intervals, forming knotty joints, one-flowered. l. solitary, large, coriaceous, beautifully spotted with crimson and red, upon a dark ground. Pseudo-bulbs cylindrical, deep brown. Central America, 1823. A very beautiful plant. (R. X. O. 33.) [T.] O. P. limbatum (bordered). fl. clear yellow, with distinct cinnamon-brown blotches, and a broad, uninterrupted margin of the same hue. (B. M. 3733.) O. pectorale (breast-plate). fl. bright yellow, thickly spotted, blotched, and barred with reddish-brown; lip having at its base a number of tubercles, curiously arranged, and studded with little button-like knobs. Spring. Brazil, 1842. A curious and handsome species.
O. peliogramma (blackish-dotted). fl. pale yellow, slightly marked with pallid dots and bars, paniculate. Chiriqui, 1871.
O. Phalaenopsis (moth-like).* fl., sepals and petals nearly equal, of a soft cream colour, beautifully spotted and streaked with crimson and violet; lip large, ground colour creamy-white, having a rich yellow crest, and covered with spots and bars in a similar manner to the sepals and petals; spike erect, three to six-flowered. l. twin, narrow, borne upon the summit of the ovate, deep green pseudo-bulbs, which are 3in. long. Peru, 1869. A beautiful, dwarf-growing species, blossoming at various periods, and continuing a long time in full beauty. When out of flower, it cannot be distinguished from some of the varieties of O. cucullatum. (I. H. 1870, 13.) [C.] O. phylloglossum (leaf-tongued). fl. shining, light horse-chestnut-brown; sepals and petals bordered with light yellow, the odd sepal and the petals being unusually wavy; lip with yellow borders at the very base and a white top, triangular; calli light yellow; panicle branched. l. cuneate-lanceolate, acutish. Pseudo-bulbs oblong-pyriform, two-leaved. Columbia, 1880. O. phymatochilum (long-lipped). fl., sepals and petals yellow and reddish-brown; lip white. Summer. l. dark green, about 1ft. long. Pseudo-bulbs thick. Brazil, 1844. A very pretty species, with remarkably curious flowers. (B. M. 5214.) O. plagianthum (athwart-flowered). fl. brown, with oblong sepals and petals; lip triangular. A curious species.
O. planilabre (flat-lipped). fl. yellow; sepals and petals lanceolate, acuminate, wavy, nearly equal; middle segment of lip semicircular, flat; crest rhomboid, cuspidate; raceme simple. Autumn. l. ensate. Pseudo-bulbs two-edged, slender, ribbed. h. 1 1/2ft. Brazil, 1848. (J. H. S. vi. 5.) O. plicigerum (fold-bearing). fl. brown, small, disposed in short, branched panicles; lip purplish-brown at the base. Ecuador, 1873. O. porrigens (extending). fl. chestnut-brown, with honey-coloured tips; lip cinnamon colour, with an orange callosity, and some deeper spots. New Grenada, 1868.
O. praestans (excelling). A hybrid, probably between O. dasystyle and some species like O. Gardneri. It is superior to the first, has brighter colours, but lacks the blackish border of the basilar portion of the lip, and it resembles the last in the system of calli.
O. praetextum (bordered).* fl. very fragrant; sepals and petals brown, edged and barred yellow; lip yellow, with a margin of brown, broken with yellow blotches and lines. Brazil, 1876. A handsome species, of which the collector said: "The flowers are most elegantly placed in a very light and feathery-looking in-florescence, and have, at the same time, a heavenly smell."
O. pubes (downy). fl. yellow-brown, spotted, with a fiddle-shaped lip; panicle simple, many-flowered, sub-secund. Autumn. l. lanceolate. Pseudo-bulbs cylindrical, one-leaved. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1824. (B. M. 3926.) [C.] O. p. flavescens (yellowish). A synonym of O. cruciatum. O. pulchellum (neat). fl. white, tinged with yellow and pink, about 1in. across; panicles many-flowered, drooping, 1ft. long. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs and leaves small. h. 6in. West Indies. An elegant, dwarf-growing species, which thrives well on a block, if supplied with plenty of moisture at the roots. (B. M. 2773; B. R. 1787.) [T.] O. pulvinatum (cushion-like). fl. yellow, orange, and brown; panicles sometimes 10ft. long. Summer. Brazil, 1836. A free-flowering, compact-growing plant, remaining a long time in perfection. (B. R. 1839, 42.) The variety majus is very desirable. [T.] O. pumilum (dwarf). fl. yellow, numerously produced on short, dense, upright, branching panicles. Spring. h. 6in. Brazil, 1824. A rare and pretty species. (B. M. 3581; B. R. 920; L. B. C. 1732.) [T.] O. pyxidophorum (box-bearing). fl. yellow, with a little box at the base of each lip, and with serrulated wings to the column. This plant is otherwise much like O. cornigerum and O. pubes.
O. reflexum (reflexed). fl., sepals and petals regularly speckled with brown; lip with a few red specks at the base. Mexico. (R. X. O. i. 93, t. 36.) O. r. pelicanum (pelican-beaked). fl., sepals bright yellow, spotted with crimson near the base; lip with a rich crimson stain around the crest. Mexico. (B. R. 1847, 70, under name of O. pelicanum.) O. Retemeyeranum (Retemeyer's). fl. pale yellow and chocolate-brown, with a deep violet lip, disposed in a raceme. l. oblong. Mexico, 1869. A small, almost bulbless orchid. (Ref. B. ii. 74.) O. rostrans (beaked). fl. gay-coloured, disposed in dense clusters. Pseudo-bulbs pyriform. Columbia, 1875.
O. rotundatum (rounded). fl. brown, small, with yellowish tips to the sepals, petals, and lip, and the base of the lip yellow inflorescence 9ft. to 12ft. long, branched near the end. 1873.
O. rupestre (rock).* fl. brilliant golden-yellow, spotted with brown, very numerous, produced on a much-branched panicle 2ft. high and 1ft. wide. l. ligulate, about 1ft. long, dark green. Pseudo-bulbs smooth, stout, pale green.