TAB. XVII. 
EPIDENDRUM’ MACROCHILUM var. ROSEUM: 
BROAD-LIPPED EPIDENDRUM: 
(Rose-coloured Variety.) 
Eprprenprum macrochilum ; pseudo-bulbis ovatis diphyllis, foliis lineari-oblongis coriaceis acutis scapo 
simplici vel paniculato subeequalibus aut brevioribus, sepalis petalisque conformibus obovatis apicibus incur- 
vis, labello libero alte trilobo lobis lateralibus ovatis acutis columnam amplectentibus intermedio maximo 
obcordato sub-selleformi disco calloso, columna aptera. 
Epipenprvm macrochilum, Hooker, Bot. Mag. 3534. 
Description. 
PSEUDO-BULBS ovate, from one to three inches long, of an extremely hard texture, smooth or 
wrinkled, but never furrowed ; bearing two or three shining, rigid, coriaceous, sharp-pointed LEAVES, 
usually from four to six inches in length. FLOWER-SPIKE erect, simple in cultivated, but occasionally 
branched in native, specimens; bearing from two to twelve large, handsome FLOWERS, which are 
nearly three inches in diameter, from the tip of the upper sepal to the extremity of the lip. 
SEPALS obovate, mucronate, spreading, curved at their extremities, an inch and a quarter long, 
chocolate-coloured, except at the base, where they have an olivaceous hue. PETALS similar in form 
and colour to the sepals, excepting that they are rather smaller. Lip, on its upper surface, of a 
bright rose colour, which is deepest at the apex, paler underneath, not united with the column, 
deeply 3-lobed—the lateral lobes enveloping and almost concealing the column, ovate, acute,—the 
middle lobe very large and broad, obcordate, and saddle-shaped in consequence of its edges being 
deflexed ;—at the base there is a flattish fleshy disk. Cotumwn not attached to the lip, triangular, 
compressed, destitute of wings, surmounted by the large, conspicuous, orange-coloured AN THER. 
THIS is one of the most attractive of Epidendra, even in the comparatively feeble state in which it is usually met 
with in our stoves; but when seen in all its native luxuriance, it must be, indeed, magnificent! In cultivation, not more 
than six or eight flowers are ordinarily produced, whereas in wild specimens, gathered in Guatemala by Mr. Skinner, 
we find many-flowered panicles, like the one represented in the plate. The species succeeds best in houses where air 
is freely admitted, and appears to suffer from excessive moisture: if allowed to rest during the winter months, it rarely 
fails to flower in April or May. Its blossoms emit a powerful odour, which though agreeable at a distance, is pungent 
and slightly nauseous when too closely inhaled. 
E. macrochilum is found abundantly in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: and, as is usually the case with 
widely-distributed species, its varieties are exceedingly numerous; in some of these (like the one figured by Dr. Hooxer), 
the labellum is white, while in others it is of the beautiful rose-colour shewn in the plate:—Mr. SKINNER was, we 
believe, the first to enrich European collections with the latter. 
The Insect figured below, is a species of Mantis, from the shores of the Pacific. Its vernacular appellation 
(according to Mr. Sxrynzr) is “ Quebra Patita,” and its bite is said to cause death. 
“ Duplices tendens ad sidera palmas.”—Vire. 
* Supra, Tab. V. 
