42 



ONCIDIUM pulvinatum. 



The Cushion Oncidium. 



GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 



Nat. ord. Orchidace^, § VandejE. 

 ONCIDIUM. Sivartz. 



O . pulvinatum ; panicula ramosisslma divaricata, sepalis obovatis laterallbus 

 liberis, petalis conformibus acutis, labelli lobis subsequalibus intermedio bi- 

 lobo undulato lateralibus crenatis rotundatis crispis, disco pulvinato villosis- 

 simo, columnae alis rotundatis. Bot. Reg. 1838. misc. no. 115. 



Panicula ramosissima, intricata, glabra, S-9-pedes longa ; axi percur- 

 rente rectiusculo pennce corvince crassitudine, ramis simplicibus ramosisque 

 divaricatis geniculatim flexuosis, internodiis pollicaribus bracteis refractis 

 membranaceis acutis pluries longioribus. Flores O. divaricati simillimi, 

 lutei in medio sanguineo guttati. 



One of the largest of the Oncidia, vieing with O. altissi- 

 mum in stature, its panicle being 8 or 9 feet long, of which 

 one of the smaller branches only is represented in the accom- 

 panying plate, and resembling O. divaricatum in the struc- 

 ture, colour, and size of its flower. It however differs from 

 that species in its lip having the middle lobe largest, not 

 smallest ; and in the cushion at its base being much more 

 villous and equally convex, not divided into equal quarters. 

 The lateral lobes of the lip are also crisp in this species, not 

 plain, as in O. divaricatum. 



In the specimen before me there is one central axis, in 

 the middle, about as thick as a crow's quill, gently wavy, 

 and so weak as to be unable to support its flowers without 

 the assistance of neighbouring objects. At regular distances 

 from this proceed the branches, which are either simple or 

 themselves branched, and zigzag in a remarkable manner; 

 the whole forming an entangled mass of inflorescence. 



It is a native of Rio Janeiro, whence it was sent to Mr. 



