



55 



AERIDES crispum. 



Sir Richard Brooke's Air plant 



GYNANDRIA MONANBBIA 



Nat. ord. Orchidace^e § Vande^ 

 AERIDES. Bot.Reg.vol IS.fol 



A. crispum ; foliis planis apice obtusis obliquis bilobis racemis multifloris 

 nutantibus duplo breyioribus, sepalis petalisque subsequalibus obtusis, 

 labelli maximi lacinia intermedia multo majore ovata retusa serrulata 



lateralibus 



mcurvo. 



A. crispum. Lindl in Wall. cat. no. 7319. Gen. fySp 

 A. Brookei. Batemartin Bot.Ueg. 1841, misc. 116. 



u This most beautiful species has lately flowered in the 

 collection of Sir Richard Brooke, Bart., of Norton Priory, 

 after whom I have ventured to name it. In the magnitude 

 of its blossoms it infinitely surpasses any other species with 

 which I am acquainted, the lip alone being upwards of an 

 inch long, beautifully tipped with rose-colour. The other 

 parts of the flower are of brilliant white. In the form of the 

 labellum the species slightly resembles Aerides affine, but it is 

 nevertheless so entirely distinct in other respects that it is 

 unnecessary to contrast the species. In its habit it is stiff 

 and erect, the leaves being only five inches long, while the 

 racemes are more than double the length. Mr. Jones, the 

 skilful gardener at Norton, is unfortunately unable to give 

 me any account of the native country of the plant, but it 

 doubtless comes from the * gorgeous east/ I am not aware of 

 its existing in any other collection." 



Such was the aecount given by Mr. Bateman of this lovely 

 plant when it was first discovered in this country. At that 

 time he supposed it to be new, and dedicated it to Sir Richard 

 Brooke. I regret however to state that a beautiful specimen, 

 for which I am indebted to Mr. Bateman, proved to be 



October, 1842. 



x 



