Tab. 5475. 



RENANTHERA Lown. 



Mr. Lows Benanthera. 



Nat. Ord. Orciiidaceje. — Gynandria Diandria. 

 Gen. Char. {Fide supra, Tab. 2997-2998.) 



Eenanthera Loicii; caulibus robustis subramosis altissime scandentibus, foliis 

 coriaceis ligulatis retusis, spicis siniplicibus longissimis pendulis flaccidis 

 multifloris, floribus heterogeneis, sepalis petalisque ssepius lanceolatis un- 

 dulatis acutis sed in floribus (duobus) versus basin spicse sitis sepalis 

 petalisque carnosis obtusis. 



Renanthera Lowii. Reichenb. Xenia,p. 89. 



Vanda Lowii. Lindl. Gard. Chron. 1847,/?. 239. 



A more remarkable plant than the subject of the present 

 Plate is not to be found among the vast and varied tribe to 

 which it belongs. While in stateliness of habit and in the length 

 of its flower- spikes it stands quite unrivalled among the Orchids 

 of the Eastern world, its greatest peculiarity is to be found in 

 the constant occurrence of two entirely distinct forms of flower 

 on the same spike. This extraordinary circumstance was first 

 observed by Professor Reichenbach, who satisfied himself, after 

 a careful examination of fresh specimens furnished from M. 

 Reichenheim's garden, that the strange phenomena had nothing 

 to do with the separate production of male or female blossoms, 

 since the organs in either form were equally perfect. Neither is 

 this strange dimorphism to be classed with such fantastic changes 

 as have been observed in Cycnoches, Catasetam, and the like, of 

 which sundry examples arc given in the 'Botanical Register' 

 and the ' Orchidaceai of Mexico and Guatemala/ In those in- 

 stances certain alien forms were associated with flowers of the 

 normal type, but they appeared capriciously, and might be re- 

 garded as a sort of monstrous birth. In the present case, how- 

 ever, nothing can be set down to caprice, for that singular pair 

 of tawny flowers is found, as represented in the Plate, at the 

 base of every spike ! 



This wonderful Orchid is a native of Borneo, whence it was 

 originally sent to the late Mr. Low, of the Clapton Nursery, by 



NOVEMBER 1ST, 1864. 



