PLATE XXIX. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM. 
BROAD-LIPPED ODONTOGLOSSUM. 
O. (PHALANOPSIDEA) pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis 1-2-phyllis ; foliis pedalibus 
subglaucescentibus carinatis lanceolatis acutis pedunculis gracilibus 2-6-floris sub- 
æqualibus ; bracteis triangulis minutis; floribus maximis roseo suffusis ; sepalis oblongo- 
ligulatis apiculatis ; petalis conformibus vel pauló latioribus subacutis vel obtusis; labello 
maximo flabellato orbiculari bilobo, in unguem brevem hastatum contracto, carinis quinis 
abruptis in basi; columnà brevissimá exalata. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM, Rehb. fil. in Gard. Chron. 1867, 901; ibid. 1879, p. 667, cum Xylo; 1873, p. 580, 644, cum Xylo, 885; 
Hooker in Bot. Mag. t. 6037; Illustration Horticole, 1873, Pl. exiii. 
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. Scarzs slender, nodding, about the same length as the leaves, two to six-flowered, 
clasped at intervals by small triangular Bracts. Frowers 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 sume size, oblong or obovate apiculate or obtuse, about an inch long, the former nearly white, the latter 
of the same hue as the lip. Lir 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 ut 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 hiın 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 
