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Summer (L fleshy somewhat peltate)

l. fleshy, somewhat peltate, tripartite; sub-divisions of lower leaves obcordate with notched lobes, which, in the upper ones, are oblong and entire. h. 10in. to 18in. California, 1869.(B. M. 5819.) D. pictum (spotted). A synonym of D. Requienii.

D. Requienii (Requien's). fl. bluish, hispid; bracts inserted on the middle of the pedicels; spur almost as long as the calyx. June. l. on long stalks, lower ones cleft into five broad cuneated three to five-toothed lobes, upper ones divided into five-linear entire lobes. h. 1 1/2ft. Lower part of herb smooth, or scarcely pubescent, upper part hispid with long crowded spreading hairs. South-west Europe, 1824. Biennial. SYN. D. pictum.

D. Staphysagria (Stavesacre). fl. blue, loose, with whitish petals; bracteoles inserted at the base of the pedicels; spur very short; pedicels twice as long as the flower. May. l. five to nine-cleft. h. 2ft. to 3ft. South Europe, 1596. A large erect biennial herb. (B. M. P1. 4.) D. tricorne (three-horned). fl. very beautiful blue; petals shorter than the calyx. May. l. five-parted, with three to five-cleft lobes, and linear lobules; petioles smooth, hardly dilated at the base. h. 9in. North America, 1806. (L. B. C. 306.) D. triste (sad). fl. dark-brown, suffused with a little red at the edges of the sepals, and with a somewhat violaceous spur; racemes loose. July to September. l. three to five-parted; lobes narrow, somewhat pinnatifid, acute; upper leaves three-parted, with entire lobes; petioles not dilated at base. h. 2ft. Siberia, 1819.

DENDROBIUM (from dendron, a tree, and bios life; the species are epiphytal in their native habitats). SYN. Pedilonum. ORD. Orchideae. A large and elegant genus of stove and greenhouse orchids. A few species are very fragrant; but the scent of some is objectionable. Lip more or less contracted at base into a claw, lying upon, or adnate to, the foot of the column; pollinia four. "The genus," says Dr. Lindley, "varies extremely in the habit of its species, some being little larger than the mosses among which they grow, while others are surpassed in stature by few of their order. . . . . There are some species of which the foliage is ancipitous, others having it terete, while, in the majority, it is in the usual flat condition. A few have no other stems than a wiry creeping rhizome; others have small conical pseudo-bulbs; many form clavate horny stems, leafy only at the summit; but the greater part produce long leafy branches." Cultivation. With but few exceptions, Dendrobiums are very easily managed; but it should be borne in mind by those who undertake their culture, that they require a decided period of rest, or "drying off," as the process is frequently termed. There is considerable diversity in the habit and style of growth of the various members of this genus; and, as many of the kinds not only thrive best, but display their beauties to a greater advantage, when suspended from the roof either in baskets or upon blocks of wood, it will at once be obvious that by this means a large saving of space may be effected. When placed in baskets, they should be surrounded with a little rough peat and sphagnum; but, when grown upon blocks, sphagnum only should be used, and this must be fastened with some fine copper wire, which will also serve to fix the plant firmly. In putting orchids upon blocks, it is of the highest importance that they should be firmly fixed; if this is not done, they are apt to get their first roots damaged; but, as a rule, after they are once established, the roots will hold them tightly enough. Plants cultivated upon blocks require greater attention in the matter of water than those grown in pots. During the growing season, Dendrobiums should be sprinkled with the syringe twice each day, morning and evening being the best times to perform the operation; in addition, it will also be necessary to lift them down twice or three times a week, and give them a dipping in a tub of water. This requires care, in order to preserve the roots and young immature growths from injury; for, at this period, both roots and shoots are very tender and brittle. It must be remembered, in syringing, dipping, or otherwise, that cold water is highly injurious; therefore, it should be warmed to the same temperature as that of the house. As the growths reach maturity, withhold the water supply, and remove the plants into a cooler and drier atmosphere, with full exposure to light and sunshine, to thoroughly ripen them. Water must be very cautiously applied during the resting period, as it is liable to start the plants prematurely. Sufficient only must be given to prevent shrivelling. Dendrobiums in pots should be planted in equal parts fibrous peat and sphagnum, with a liberal addition of charcoal. They require to be elevated upon a cone of soil above the rim of the pot, and should be pressed down, or potted firmly. Perfect drainage is absolutely essential to success. In pots, they enjoy a liberal supply of water during their period of growth; but care must be exercised when syringing, as the water is apt to lie in the sheaths of the young pseudo-bulbs, and cause injury. The plants are subject to the attacks of Yellow Fly when young, and to Scale when they are mature. The first-named pest must be exterminated on its earliest appearance, by slight fumigations with tobacco or tobaccopaper; and the Scale should be carefully washed off with a mixture of soft soap and tepid water. Dendrobiums, when in flower, may be used for almost any purpose of decoration. They beautify the plant house, the majority of them lasting several weeks in perfection, if not sprinkled with water from the syringe. They may be taken into the dwelling house, and will be found charming subjects for the drawing-room or boudoir; while many of them take first rank as subjects for exhibition.

The enumeration of species is confined to such as are of known excellence, or are offered in trade lists. Many species, and some of the varieties and hybrids that are periodically figured and described at length, are frequently rare and often unique; and, for various reasons, it is probable that the majority of these do not become common or obtainable for many years afterwards. To give anything like an exhaustive review of the entire genus would, in itself, amount to a moderate-sized volume. D. aduncum (hooked). fl. white, tinged with rose, small, appearing at different times of the year. h. 2ft. Manilla, 1842. An evergreen species, with a rather straggling habit. (B. R. 1846, 15.) D. aggregatum (clustered).* fl. deep yellow throughout, borne in arching racemes about 6in. long. March to May. Pseudobulbs thick and deep green, bearing a solitary leaf. h. 3in. to 4in. Northern India, 1837. Greenhouse. This plant is best grown fastened on a large block of wood. (B. R. 1695.) The variety majus is a very good one.

D. albo-sanguineum (white and crimson).* fl. soft creamy-white, twin or tern, very large, about 4in. across; petals twice as broad as the sepals, with a few blood-red streaks at the base; labellum with a large reddish-crimson blotch in the middle. May and June. Pseudo-bulbs from a few inches to 1ft. long, and nearly 1in. in diameter. Moulmein, 1851. Stove. (P. F. G. 57.) D. album (white). A synonym of D. aqueum.

D. amoenum (pleasing). fl. pure white, tipped with violet-purple, scattered along the long slender stems, violet-scented; throat yellow; labellum white, with a slight tinge of magenta at the base. Pseudo-bulbs 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long. Himalaya, 1843. A slender-growing pendulous stove deciduous species. (B. M. 6199.) D. Aphrodite (Aphrodite).* fl. amber, produced sparingly from the nodes of the last matured growth; lip bright orange, margined with white, and with a large blood-red spot at the base. July. Pseudo-bulbs 4in. to 8in. high, 1/2in. in diameter through the very prominent nodes, which are a distinguishing feature in the present species. Moulmein, 1862. Erect greenhouse deciduous species. SYN. D. nodatum. (F. d. S. 1582.) D. aqueum (watery). fl. creamy-white, solitary or two together, large, rising from the axils of the leaves; lip recurved from the middle, ovate-rhomboid, obscurely three-lobed; two lateral lobes small, the intermediate one triangular; the lower half has an elevated ridge, and under its termination a depression, and that part has a deep yellow blotch; under side glabrous, the upper surface very downy and striated, the margin of the terminal lobe fringed with soft ciliae. November. l. distichous, ovate, the upper ones smaller and lanceolate, all sub-membranaceous, sharply and suddenly acuminated, striated with the longitudinal nerves, dark green above, paler and yellower beneath. Stem stout, jointed, compressed, striated, leafy (at the time of flowering), yellow-green. Bombay, 1842. Stove. (B. M. 4640.) SYN. D. album. D. aureum (golden).* fl. amber, produced from the nodes of two-year-old pseudo-bulbs, in bunches of from four to six, very fragrant; lip amber, with brown and purple markings. February. Pseudo-bulbs 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 3/4in. in diameter. India, 1837. A pendulous stove or greenhouse deciduous species. SYN. D. heterocarpum. (B. M. 4708.) The variety philippinensis is a remarkable long-stemmed form, with slightly scented Primrose-coloured flowers. 1880.

D. barbatulum (small-bearded). fl. ivory-white, with a slight tinge of pink, small, in dense erect racemes. East Indies, 1844. A robust greenhouse plant, attaining about 1ft. in length, and succeeding best on a block of wood. (B. M. 5918.) D. Bensoniae (Benson's).* fl. about 2in. across, produced in twos or threes at the end of the stem; sepals and petals waxy-white; lip white, with an orange centre, and ornamented near the base with two large velvety-black blotches. May and June. Burmah, 1867. An erect, stiff-growing, greenhouse deciduous species, with pseudo-bulbs 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, and about 1/2in. in diameter. (B. M.5679.) Two varieties of this fine plant have been introduced: aurantiacum (orange, brown), Moulmein, 1874; and xanthinum (white, yellow), 1878.

D. bigibbum (double-spurred).* fl. rich rosy-pink, 1in. to 2in. across, disposed in six to twelve-flowered arching spikes, which are produced from the leafy part of one-year and older bulbs. September and October. Pseudo-bulbs 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, carrying on their upper part from four to six closely-arranged leaves. h. 1ft. Queensland. An erect-growing stove evergreen species. (B. M. 4898.) The variety superbum grows somewhat stiffer and stouter than the type, and has superior flowers, both in size and colour. 1878. (F. M. n. s. 229.) There is also a form (candidum) with white flowers. D. binoculare (two-eyed). fl. copper-coloured, rather small; apex of the lip golden-yellow, with one large brownish or purplish blotch on each side of its disk; raceme sub-erect. Summer. Burmah, 1869. A tall, slender-growing greenhouse species.

D. Boxallii (Boxall's).* fl. scattered along the previous year's knotty growth, 2in. across; sepals and petals white, beautifully tipped with purple; lip same colour, with a large blotch of rich yellow. February and March. Pseudo-bulbs from 2ft. to 3ft. long, and 1/4in. through the nodes. Moulmein. An elegant stove deciduous species, particularly adapted, from its pendulous habit, for growing on a block, although it thrives well under pot culture. (F. M. n. s. 114.) D. Brymerianum (Brymer's).* fl. solitary or in pairs, or in short spikes of threes and fours from the upper part of two-year and older bulbs; sepals and petals glossy yellow; lip yellow, furnished with a very deep, branched, papillose fringe. March and April. l. about 5in. long and 1in. broad, light green. Pseudo-bulbs 2ft. high, and 1/2in. diameter, bearing from eight to twelve leaves. Burmah, 1875. A very remarkable and handsome erect-growing stove evergreen species. (B. M. 6383.) D. Bullerianum (Buller's). A synonym of D. gratiosissimum. D. Calceolaria (slipper-like). fl. of a uniform bright yellow, large, produced on a raceme twelve or more together. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs about 4ft. high. India, 1820. A large-growing stove evergreen species. Its name is usually misspelt D. Calceolus.

D. Cambridgeanum (Duke of Cambridge's). A synonym of C. ochreatum. D. canaliculatum (channelled). fl. sweet-scented, disposed on a stem about 1ft. long; sepals and petals yellow and white; lip white, with a mauve disk. h. 3in. North-east Australia, 1865. A pretty little greenhouse species, of easy culture. SYN. D. Tattonianum. (B. M. 5537.) D. cariniferum (keel-bearing).* fl. white, in branches of four or more from one-year and older bulbs; sepals tinged with yellow at the tips; labellum orange, tipped with white, and furnished with a cinnabar-red crest. April. Pseudo-bulbs erect, evergreen, 1ft. long by 1/2in. in diameter. Burmah, 1869. Greenhouse.

D. c. Wattii (Watt's). This differs from the type in its larger flowers, rather longer spur, the longer narrow mid-lobe, the yellow bands of the lip, and the faintly hairy sheaths. Munipore, 1883. (B. M. 6715.) D. chlorops (green-eyed). fl. pale nankeen-colour; base of lip bright pea-green, small. Bombay, 1842. A very pretty free-flowering stove species. D. chrysanthum (golden-flowered).* fl. deep rich yellow, in twos and threes on the leafy stems; labellum fringed, and having a dark crimson blotch. September. Pseudo-bulbs from 3ft. to 6ft. long, about 1/2in. in diameter. Nepaul, 1828. A handsome greenhouse deciduous species, most successfully grown in a basket, suspended from the roof. (B. R. 1299.) The variety microphthalmum has the fringe of lip very short, blotches two or four, pallid brown, 1879. D. chrysotis (golden).* fl. about 2in. across; sepals and petals long and narrow, rich golden-yellow; lip orange, with two large purple blotches at the base, heavily fringed or bearded; racemes drooping, several springing from one bulb, four to eight-flowered. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs 2ft. to 6ft. long, 1/4in. in diameter, with dark, rather prominent nodes to every inch or two of the slender, rod-like stem. Assam, 1878. A very magnificent erect stove evergreen species, closely allied to D. fimbriatum. (B. M. 6013, under name of D. Hookerianum.) D. chrysotoxum (golden-arched).* fl. over 1in. across, produced from the leafy part of both old and young pseudo-bulbs; sepals and petals pale yellow; lip a deeper yellow; raceme drooping, 6in. to 12in. long. March and April. Pseudo-bulbs 1ft. long, and 1 1/2in. in diameter, bearing from four to six stout leaves arranged on the upper part. Moulmein, 1845. A strong, erect stove evergreen species. (B. M. 5053.) D. clavatum (club-shaped).* fl. bright yellow, with a crimson spot in the centre of the lip, produced in drooping spikes from the tops of the stems.