37 



CALANTHE Masiica. 



Lilac Calanthe. 



GYNANDRIA MONANBRIA. 



Nat. ord. Orchidace^. § Vande^. 

 CALANTHE. Botanical Hegister, t. 720. 



C. Masuca (Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. p. 249. Bletia Masuca, Don. Prodr. 

 fl. nep. 30. Ainbhjglottis veratrifolia 1 Blume Bijdr.) ; scapo erecto 

 foliis latis oblongis petiolatis acuminatis subtus pubescentibus longiore, 

 racemis multifloris, labello tripartito basi tuberculia seriatis 5-cristato, 

 seriebus intermediis elevatioribus ; laciniis lateralibus linearibus subfal- 

 catis intermedia mult6 majore cuneata emarginata in unguem linearem 

 laciniis lateralibus aequalera angustata, calcare longissimo falcato clavato, 

 columna brevi obliqua antice bifoveata, ovario pubescente. 



For the figure of this charming plant we have to thank 

 Messrs. Rollisson of Tooting, with whom it flowered in 

 June, 1843. 



It is a native of Nepal, and may be regarded as the gayest 

 of the terrestrial species of that rich country, being conspi- 

 cuous both for the large size of their flowers and their fine 

 colour. 



From the other purple species allied to it, this is readily 

 known by the leaves as well as by the flowers. C. versicolor 

 has leaves smooth on both sides ; C. purpurea downy on both 

 sides, especially beneath ; while this has down only on the 

 under side. C. versicolor has white sepals and petals ; C. pur- 

 jmrea, and this, purple ones. While however C. purpurea 

 agrees in the colour of its flowers, its lip is altogether diffe- 

 rent, being very narrow, with the lateral lobes quite round. 

 In order that there may be no confusion among these nearly 

 allied plants, the characters of C. purpurea and versicolor are 

 given below. 



C. Masuca should be potted in turfy heath-mould, mixed 

 with a few pieces of potsherds. In summer it should receive 



