1885.] NOTES ON BRITISH ORCHIDS. 177 



NOTBS ON mUTWlL OUCIIIDS. 



BY A. D, WEBSTEi;. 



:N"0. III. 



0. hircina (lizard Orchid). — Tubers globose and somewhat dowuj% Stem 

 from 18 inches to 2 feet in height, hollow, and with a few rather large lanceolate 

 or elli|)tical leaves. Flowers of a dirty greenish white, purplish within, and 

 strongly though not pleasantly scented. Lip divided into three segments, the 

 middle one brownish purple, long, linear, and twisted. 



rilHIS rare and singular plant cannot be confounded with an\- 

 JL. other, the long linear lip having a fancied resemblance to a 

 lizard, and from which the popular name of lizard Orchis is derived. 

 It was formerly found in Kent and Surrey, growing on chalky wastes 

 and meadows, but if not now e.xtinct in a wild state, is certainly 

 very rarely seen. Some few years ago this orchid was reported to 

 have been found on tlie Great Orme's Head by a plant-dealer, who 

 at that time resided in Llandudno; but the statement, which 

 occasioned a good deal of comment and not a little displeasure, is 

 generally disbelieved by local and other botanists who have paid no 

 small amount of attention to the interesting and rather rare flora of 

 that beautiful headland. Admit we must that the plant-dealer in 

 question had several specimens of this orchid in his possession at 

 the time, which, coupled with the fact that the limestone formation 

 of the Orme's Head would be suitable for the growth of the plant, 

 renders the statement not impossible, although certainly very im- 

 probable. This plant is difficult to cultivate, and usually dies out 

 after flowering. It may, however, be grown for a year or two by 

 mixing a quantity of fine loam and lime rubbish together, and 

 planting the tuber rather deep, so as to prevent as much as possible 

 tlie leaves appearing above ground during winter — a fault to which 

 I have found it particularly susceptible. 



As a garden plant, it is certainly more interesting as a botanical 

 specimen, than for any beauty of either foliage or flowers. 



0. laxijlora (the loose Orchis). — Tubers globose. Stem from 12 to 18 inches in 

 height, gi'ooved, with long, narrow, acuminate, bright green leaves. Flowers 

 resembling those of O. mascula, but much larger, of a rich reddish purple, and 

 placed very loosely or distant on the stem. Sepals and i)etals obtuse. Lip 

 spotted, as broad as long, margins recurved, and with the lateral lobes large and 

 crenulate. 



Hitherto this orchid has, in Britain, only been found in Guernsey 

 and Jersey, and there, no doubt, introduced by some means from the 

 mainland of France, where, as well as throughout Southern Europe 



