Monograph of Odontoglossum/tranche6

by James Bateman

Plate XXVI

Odontoglossum angustatum, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. sub t. 1992, Folia Orchid., 48; Rchb. fil.; Walper's Annales, vi. p. 841.

Odontoglossum angustatum.

Odontoglossum angustatum.

Plate XXVI.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ANGUSTATUM.

NARROW-PETALLED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Isanthium) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis, foliis longis lato-lanceolatis erectis acutis paniculâ ramosâ elatâ brevioribus, bracteis carinatis acutis ovario multò brevioribus, sepalis petalisque subæqualibus undulatis unguiculatis, labello ovato-lanceolato acuminato reflexo, cristæ lamellis lateralibus membranaceis trifidis, digitis anterioribus majoribus, callo obtuso interposito, columnâ apterâ.

Habitat in Peru, (alt. 8000 ft.,) Hall, Hartweg, Linden.

DESCRIPTION.

A very stately plant. Pseudobulbs ovate-oblong compressed, 2 or 3 inches long, 1 (or ? 2) leaved. Leaves one to one and a half feet long, linear-lanceolate acute, shorter than the upright branching zigzag many-flowered Panicles. Bracts keeled, acute, much shorter than the ovaries. Sepals and Petals nearly equal, unguiculate, acuminate, undulated, white with beautiful purple spots on their lower portions. Lip white, or nearly so, shorter than the petals, ovate-lanceolate, the apex acuminate and exceedingly recurved, having at its sides two membranous lamellæ, divided into three unequal parts, those in front the larger and projecting forwards like horns or fingers with a blunt callus lying between them. Column not half the length of the lip, and destitute of wings.

This is a very distinct species, as remarkable among Odontoglossa with its white and purple flowers, as is Oncidium incurvum, with blossoms of similar hues, among the innumerable members of that still more extensive genus. Although originally discovered by Colonel Hall more than a quarter of a century ago, no genuine plants—there have been impostors in plenty—seem to have reached Europe alive before the year 1871, when it was introduced by M. Linden; by whom also, in the following spring, flowering specimens were exhibited at South Kensington and universally admired. According to Lindley, the species is nearly allied to his O. ramosissimum, from which, indeed, he at one time failed to distinguish it. M. Linden's plant, which is faithfully rendered in Mr. Fitch's drawing, does not exactly answer to the descriptions in the Folia Orchidacea either of O. angustatum or O. ramosissimum, but is apparently a connecting link between the two, whence I infer the probability that both the above supposed species will eventually be found to be one and the same.

The plant is still exceedingly scarce, and as it is indistinguishable in habit from many other Odontoglossa derived from the same rich country (Peru), I would warn cultivators against purchasing any specimens that have not actually proved themselves to be true. It belongs to the cooler sections of its race, and must be treated accordingly.

Plate XXVII

Odontoglossum coronarium.

Odontoglossum coronarium.

Plate XXVII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CORONARIUM.

ROYAL ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Trymenium) rhizomate caulescente, pseudobulbis brunneis ovalibus compressis monophyllis, foliis rigidis coriaceis basi canaliculatis acutis racemo multifloro dense racemoso subæqualibus vel longioribus, bracteis linearibus canaliculatis ovario triplô brevioribus, sepalis petalisque subrotundis unguiculatis planis margine crispis, labello longê cuneato retuso basi auriculis unidentatis subfalcatis obtusis subtus in unam connatis acuto, inter auriculas tuberculis duobus hoc didymo illo inferiore simplici; clinandrio subserrato lobis rotundatis (Lindl.)

Odontoglossum coronarium, Lindl. Folia Orchid.; Linden, Pescatorea, t. 47.

Habitat in N. Grenada, propè La Baja, Pamplona, (alt. 7000 ft.,) Schlim.

DESCRIPTION.

A stout and rigid plant. Pseudobulbs oval, compressed, 3 or more inches long, of a brownish hue, placed at intervals on a stiff caulescent Rhizome. Leaves one on each pseudobulb, leathery, sharp-pointed, channelled near the base, a foot or more long, equal to or longer than the flower-scapes. Bracts linear channelled, only one third the length of the ovary. Racemes about a foot high, upright, bearing from a dozen to twenty flowers in a dense mass. Sepals and Petals equal, subrotund, unguiculate, smooth, with their margins crisp or curled, about an inch long, of a rich reddish coppery brown on the upper surface, shining as if they had been varnished, yellowish underneath. Lip yellow, retuse, about same length as the petals, obovate, rounded at apex, narrowed and wedge-shaped at the base, where the sides arrange themselves into two narrow blunt falcate horns which are united on the under side. Crest consisting of three processes. Column slightly curved with two truncate rounded wings.

This species has been long known, but it was slow in making its appearance, and slow likewise in flowering after it had reached us. During the last four years both Messrs. Veitch and M. Linden have succeeded in importing it alive, but it has only produced flowers in two or three instances; the finest specimens I have seen being those exhibited by Lord Londesborough during the present spring (1874). Even in its native country it seems to be a shy flowerer. As it is never met with lower than 7000 feet on the mountains of Pamplona, it of course requires a cooler treatment than many of its congeners which affect a lower level. The shining surface of the sepals and petals is very remarkable, and has the appearance of being due to a coat of the best varnish. Another species, O. brevifolium, found in lofty mountains in Peru, is closely allied to this, if indeed, which I greatly doubt, it be anything more than a very high-level variety of it.

Plate XXVIII

Odontoglossum blandum.

Odontoglossum blandum.

Plate XXVIII.

ODONTOGLOSSUM BLANDUM.

PLEASANT ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Euodontoglossum) pseudobulbis ovatis 1-2-phyllis, foliis lineari-lanceolatis acutis racemis multifloris subæqualibus, sepalis petalisque cuneato-lanceis acuminatis; labelli ungue bilamellato, lamellis oblongis antice obtusangulis, laminâ ab ungue cuneato velutino ampliato ovatâ acuminatâ crispulâ, cornubus brevibus geminis ante lamellas, antepositis falcibus geminis, tumore parvo interjecto; cirrhis columnæ basi angulatæ bifidis setaceis.

Odontoglossum blandum, Rchb. fil. in Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 1342 (1872).

Habitat in Ocaña, Blunt, Roezl.

DESCRIPTION.

Plant about a span across, in a compact mass. Pseudobulbs ovate, somewhat compressed, about an inch long, bearing 1 (rarely 2) narrow lanceolate Leaves of about the same length as the slender nodding many-flowered Racemes. The Flowers, of which there are from six to twelve (or more) crowded together on the racemes, are all expanded at the same time, and emit a pleasant honey-like smell. Sepals and Petals nearly equal, less than an inch long, lanceolate, acuminate, of a creamy white sprinkled over with numerous crimson dots. Lip about the same length as the sepals, and of the same hue, but destitute of spots except at the apex, the central portion bearing a large crimson mark nearly in the form of the letter W; the lip's base is formed of two parallel blunt lamellæ out of which springs the main limb which is broadly ovate, curled and jagged at the edges and recurved and acuminate at its extremity; at the point of junction with the unguis or claw occur two horned falcate processes, between which a small tumour is interposed, at foot of which are two short and blunt horns. Column short, bifid, angular with three or four straggling cirrhi or filaments on either side.

This pretty little Odontoglossum comes from Ocaña, where it was first discovered by Mr. Low's collector many years ago. At that time none of the plants reached England alive, but some dried specimens that found their way to Professor Reichenbach, enabled the great German Orchidist to name and describe the species; which turns out to be nearly allied to O. nævium. It has been met with by M. Roezl and other collectors, but is still a rare plant, as its constitution is apt to succumb under a long journey by sea and land. The specimens from which Mr. Fitch prepared his drawing, flowered in the spring of 1871, in the collection of the Royal Horticultural Society;—the plants having been purchased at one of Stevens' sales, among a "miscellaneous lot" of doubtful things. The species is a free-flowerer, and sends out an agreeable honey-like odour, but in point of beauty is scarcely a rival for O. nævium. It seems to require rather more heat than the latter species, which is one of the coolest of cool Orchids.

Plate XXIX

Odontoglossum vexillarium.

Odontoglossum vexillarium.

Plate XXIX.

ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM.

BROAD-LIPPED ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Phalænopsidea) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis 1-2-phyllis; foliis pedalibus subglaucescentibus carinatis lanceolatis acutis pedunculis gracilibus 2-6-floris subæqualibus; bracteis triangulis minutis; floribus maximis roseo suffusis; sepalis oblongo-ligulatis apiculatis; petalis conformibus vel paulò latioribus subacutis vel obtusis; labello maximio flabellato orbiculari bilobo, in unguem brevem hastatum contracto, carinis quinis abruptis in basi; columnâ brevissimâ exalatâ.

Odontoglossum vexillarium, Rchb. fil. in Gard. Chron. 1867, 901; ibid. 1872, p. 667, cum Xylo; 1873, p. 580, 644, cum Xylo, 885; Hooker in Bot. Mag. t. 6037; Illustration Horticole, 1873, Pl. cxiii.

Habitat in N. Grenada, Bowman, Wallis, Roezl, Chesterton.

DESCRIPTION.

Pseudobulbs flattened, ovate-oblong, an inch or inch and a half long, bearing one or two keeled sharp-ended lanceolate Leaves from six inches to a foot long, by an inch or more wide, with a glaucous tint, especially on their upper surface. Scapes slender, nodding, about the same length as the leaves, two to six-flowered, clasped at intervals by small triangular Bracts. Flowers flat, the largest in the genus, tinted more or less deeply with lovely rose. Sepals and Petals somewhat variable in their relative forms, in most cases nearly the same size, oblong or obovate apiculate or obtuse, about an inch long, the former nearly white, the latter of the same hue as the lip. Lip generally of a rich rosy tint, expanding from a narrow sagittate claw into a round and ample, 2-lobed disk, more than double the size of the petals, with five dwarf calli and some yellow streaks at its base. Column very short with rarely a trace of wings.

This is the handsomest of known Odontoglossa. In the year 1867 Mr. Low showed me a solitary flower, which had been sent to him by his collector (Bowman, I believe), but a discreet silence was observed as to the locality where the prodigy had been found, nor, alas, did living plants ever make their way to the Clapton Nursery. Subsequently the species was met with by Wallis—when collecting for Mr. Linden—and later still by Roezl; but although in each case a large number of specimens were packed up and despatched to Europe, they either died on the passage, or shortly after their arrival. Indeed, cultivators were almost beginning to despair, when, early in the spring of last year (1873), the arrival was announced of a small cargo of the beauteous novelty in most excellent condition at the establishment of Messrs. Veitch; to whom it had been forwarded by Mr. Henry Chesterton. Once safe in the Chelsea collection, it did not put the patience of Orchid-growers to any severe strain, for within little more than three months of its arrival vigorous flower-spikes were produced, and the plant itself exhibited—both in Regent's Park and at South Kensington—to the envy and admiration of all beholders. It seems to be very easy to manage, and produces its flower-scapes with the utmost profusion. Like all its congeners, it must be relegated to the cool Orchid-house, though probably it will be found to prefer the warmest end.

Professor Reichenbach has written several articles in the Gardeners' Chronicle about this plant, in one of which he deplores, and most justly, the wanton waste and havoc committed by collectors; who, instead of contenting themselves with a moderate number of specimens, gather them by hundreds, or even by thousands, thus imperilling the very existence of species which, like the present, are believed to possess only a very restricted habitat. Nor does this recklessness often benefit their employers, for in most cases, the larger the consignment, the smaller the chance of its prospering on its way.

The woodcut is copied from a photograph of a small specimen of O. vexillarium, taken in New Grenada, in the act of flowering.

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Plate XXX

Odontoglossum Roezlii.

Odontoglossum Roezlii.

Plate XXX.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ROEZLII.

ROEZL'S ODONTOGLOSSUM.

O. (Phalænopsidea) affine O. vexillario, pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis ancipitibus compressis 1-2-phyllis, foliis lineari-ligulatis inferne striatis pedunculis 1-3-floris longioribus; sepalis oblongo-ligulatis acutis, petalis sublatioribus; labello a basi angustâ sagittatâ cuneato flabellato obtuse bilobo; carinis ternis in imâ basi; prepositâ lamellâ transversâ seu callis parvis geminis; columnâ apterâ.

Odontoglossum Roezlii, Rchb. fil. Xenia Orchidacea, ii.; idem in Gard. Chron. p. 1302, (cum Xylo) 1873.

Habitat in N. Grenada, Roezl; Backhouse in Gard. Chron. p. 1334, (1873).

DESCRIPTION.

A compact plant, of which the Pseudobulbs are ovate-oblong, 1-2 inches long and much compressed; these bear one or two bright green linear acute Leaves, which are remarkable for their parallel streaks—nine in number—on the under side, and are from six to ten inches long, and about ½ inch wide. The Scapes or Peduncles are shorter than the leaves, and bear from one to three (possibly more) large and beautiful flowers, which with the exception of some markings at the base of the petals and on the lip are of snowy whiteness. Sepals oblong-ligulate pointed at the extremity, fully an inch long. Petals rather wider than the sepals and with a rich crimson blotch at their base. Lip wedge-shaped, expanding from a narrow sagittate base into a broad two-lobed disk, an inch and a half wide, white with some bright yellow markings near the foot and in the region of the Crest; the latter being formed by three slightly raised "carinæ" or ridges near the base on either side, traversed by two moderate sized calli placed in front. Column wingless.

This is a most charming Odontoglossum, allied to the preceding and to O. phalænopsis, but perfectly distinct from either. Its bright green narrow leaves—streaked like those of Saccolabium Blumei, at once distinguish the plant, even when out of flower, from its fascinating rival O. vexillarium; which always bears a glaucous hue, and which has larger and broader foliage, and produces double the number of flowers on a scape. The first rumours that reached us of the plant led to a suspicion that it might, after all, be only a variety of O. vexillarium, but these unworthy fears were at once dispelled by the flowering of the plant itself at Mr. Bull's nursery in the early part of last September, when Mr. Fitch prepared his drawing, and Professor Reichenbach obtained materials for the description which appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle of September 27, 1873. The Professor has also given, in his Xenia, a characteristic representation of the wild plant constructed from the specimens supplied to him by its fortunate discoverer, Mr. Roezl; in whose honour the species is very properly named. It is a native of New Grenada, and, like O. vexillarium, appears to be exceedingly rare; we must not, therefore, murmur if the precise locality—of which the knowledge is a fortune in itself—should be for awhile withheld. But there would have been no harm in telling us the approximate elevation of the native habitat, as the same is always important as a clue to culture; especially in the case of plants with a limited range. In this instance I apprehend that both O. Roezlii and O. vexillarium are not found at a very high level and that therefore—though happily entitled to rank among "cool" Orchids—they must be placed in the warmer division of the "cool" Orchid-house.

The woodcut represents, for purposes of comparison, two nearly allied Odontoglossa, viz., O. pulchellum and O. Egertonianum; they both come from the same country (Guatemala) and closely resemble each other in habit—only that the pseudobulbs of the latter have much the sharper edges—but the flowers are very different. The spikes of O. Egertonianum (2) are a sort of Orchid-imitation of the racemes of the "Lily of the Valley," though unfortunately they have no perfume, while those of O. pulchellum (1) emit a delicious, almond-like odour, not very unlike that of Gardenia radicans; they are, moreover, very chaste and beautiful, and are freely produced during the winter months. Under these circumstances the species has long since become, what it well deserved to be, an established popular favourite. Yet on its introduction some five-and-thirty years ago—I had then just received the plant from my lamented friend Mr. G. U. Skinner—its first feeble attempts to flower left such an impression of its insignificance upon my mind, that I churlishly refused it a place among the magnates of its family in "The Orchidaceæ of Mexico and Guatemala" on which I was then engaged! But greater discrimination in the treatment of our plants—in other words the recognition of the system of "Cool-Orchid-growing"—has led to a more just appreciation of its merits.

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