Tab. 5491. 

 EPIDENDRUM dichromum, var. amabile. 



Beautiful Variety of the Two-coloured Epidendrum. 



Nat. Ord. Orchidej:. — Gynandria Monandria. 

 Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tab. 5336.) 



Epidendrum dichromum; pseudobulbis ovato-fusiforraibus 2-vel 3-phyllis, folds 

 rigidis ligulatis planis obtusis scapo paniculato raultifloro brevioribus, sepalis 

 lineari-lanceolatis acutiusculis, petalis obovato-lanceolatis duplo latioribus, 

 label li profunde ti'ilobi lobo medio obcordato pluries costato lateralibus bre- 

 vioribus rotundatis apice patulis, column! obtuse auriculata. 



Epidendrum dichromum. Lindl. Fol. Orch., et in Bot. Reg. 1843, Misc. 119. 



This charming Epidendrum was imported last year from 

 Bahia by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., of the Clapton Nursery, 

 through whom it speedily found its way into all the principal 

 collections in the neighbourhood of London. In many of these 

 it has already flowered, and I was myself fortunate enough 

 to see it in bloom last autumn in Mr. Bassett's garden, as well 

 as at the establishments of Mr. Williams, of Holloway, and of 

 Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith. In each case the variety was 

 different, the sepals and petals in Mr. Bassett's plant being of a 

 pale rose-colour, in that of Mr. Williams they were nearly white, 

 while in Messrs. Lee's specimen — from which the figure is de- 

 rived — both tints were combined with such pleasing effect as to 

 merit the distinctive appellation of ' amabile . which I have ven- 

 tured to add to the specific name. 



Mr. Low's collector found the plant in exposed places on the 

 margin of rivers, establishing itself on the branches of low 

 straggling bushes, and sending its roots down into the sand 

 amidst which they grew. Taking their cue from these pecu- 

 liarities in its habit in a wild state some cultivators arc attempt- 

 ing to grow the species potted in sand, but I scarcely expect 

 they will succeed. In the meantime it seems to thrive upon a 

 block of wood or in a pot nearly filled with potsherds. It will 



FEBRUARY 1ST, 1865. 



