Tas. XXIV. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE: 
GREAT ODONTOGLOSSUM. 
Ovonrocxiossum grande ; pseudo-bulbis aggregatis ovato-oblongis compressis ancipitibus diphyllis 
foliis lanceolatis acutis scapo paucifloro dupld brevioribus, sepalis lanceolatis lateralibus convexis falcatis 
petalisque oblongis obtusiusculis latioribus subundulatis, labello subrotundo basi auriculato sepalis plus 
dupld breviore : tuberculis basi tribus corrugatis aliisque lateralibus denti-formibus minoribus, columne 
tomentose: marginibus rotundatis convexis incurvis. Lind. in Bot. Reg. Misc. 1840. No. 94. 
Habitat in Guatemalé.—SKinner. 
Description, 
PSEUDO-BULBS in dense masses, of an ovate or ovate-oblong shape, flattened and sharp at the 
edges, from one to four inches long, slightly furrowed, and of a glaucous cast, bearing two lan- 
ceolate, bluish green LEAVES, half a foot or more long, and sprinkled on the under side with small 
black dots. From among the small sheathing leaves which clothe the base of the pseudo-bulbs springs 
the erect Scape, partially enveloped in large, close-fitting, greyish BRAcTS, of the thickness of a 
swan’s quill, rising to twice the height of the leaves, and bearing from three to eight FLOWERS, of 
great size and beauty. SEPALS lanceolate, the lateral ones falcate, three inches or more in length ; 
Perats broader than the sepals, oblong, somewhat obtuse, mucronate, waved at the edges ;—both 
petals and sepals have a greenish yellow ground, on which large blotches and streaks of the richest 
chesnut are irregularly scattered, varying exceedingly in different specimens. Lip unguiculate, 
almost round, not half the length of the sepals, of a dirty white, decorated with concentric brown 
streaks, which, although arranged closely at the point where they spring, disappear almost entirely 
in front; at the base three large tusk-like TUBERCLES are stationed, which are of the richest orange 
colour, spotted with red. The Corum is slightly downy, and its convex rounded margins have an 
inward direction, of a yellowish cast, excepting near the base, which is almost white. 
THIS noble plant may well be described by its discoverer—Mr. Sxinner—as among the most 
magnificent ornaments of the Orchidaceous Flora of Guatemala. In brilliancy of colour, if it yield to 
certain species of Lelia and Cattleya, it must confessedly be placed at the head of the vast group of South 
American Vandee, curious and beautiful though they be; for not merely does it surpass the whole of its 
own extensive genus, but likewise all the known species of Oncidium, Cyrtochilum, and other allied forms. 
These remarks must however be understood to apply solely to the superior varieties, for there are others 
which, in the size of the flowers and the distribution of the colours, are greatly inferior to the one represented 
in the Plate. 
Odontoglossum grande delights, according to Mr. Sk1nw eR, in situations where the mean temperature 
scarcely exceeds 60°; but although a great degree of heat may not be essential to its welfare, still it fortu- 
nately soon accommodates itself to the ordinary routine of culture that its tribe receive in England. ‘Two 
varieties have flowered at Knypersley (the one in August, the other in October 1840), each bearing four 
flowers on a spike, the plants being then young and weak, but they have subsequently attained to a vigour 
of growth that leaves little doubt they will eventually produce the full complement of flowers, which, in 
native specimens, is sometimes not less than eight! 
* Supra. Tab. xv. 
