IfiTO. ] THE IIIGII-COLOURED MASDEVALLIAS. 16'.) 



THE HIGH-COLOURED MASDEVALLIAS. 



WITH AN ILLUSTEATION. ^ 



) MONGST what are novv- known and cultivated as " cool orcliids," a very 

 prominent place must be accorded to these Masdevallias^ a genus which 

 was lately but little known, but of which a group of several species has been 

 very well represented in the accompanying plate. As to their treatment, 

 these plants rank undoubtedly amongst the " coolest of the cool ;" whilst as to the 

 colouring of their flowers, they have a glowing, almost luminous richness of hue, 

 which is perhaps not attained elsewhere. Add to this a peculiar neatness in their 

 habit of growth, and it is no wonder that MasdevaUias should be held in high 

 favour both by cultivators and plant-lovers. 



The species of Masdevallia, which inhabit the high, cool uplands of Peru 

 and New Granada, are somewhat numerous, and several of them have now found 

 their way into our gardens. For the present, however, we must confine our- 

 selves to those represented in our plate, namely, M. Veitchiana^ M. tgnea^ 

 M. Lindeni^ M. Harn/ana^ and M. tovarensis. 



The habit of all these species is very similar. From the root springs up a tuft 

 of oblong spathulate leathery leaves, generally obtuse, and tapered into a stalk 

 of moderate length. Among these rise up the taller scapes, each terminated by 

 one or more of the remarkable flowers. In M. Veitchiana (fig. 1), the sepals, 

 which form the conspicuous part of the flowers, are of a brilliant orange-scarlet, 

 with a spot, or in some varieties a stripe, of rich crimson-purple, produced by 

 the presence of multitudinous hairs, and yielding a most remarkable contrast ; 

 the upper sepal is erect and comparatively broad. In M. ignea (fig. 2), the 

 sepals are of a fiery-orange, marked with Unes of deeper red or crimson, while 

 the upper sepal is projected forwards. In M. Lindeni (fig. 3), the sepals are of 

 a lovely pucy-purple, with a whitish throat, the upper one being narrower and 

 turned backward. In M. Habrtana (fig. 4), the sepals are of a brilliant rosy- 

 magenta, varying in hue, and sometimes, as in the form called M. Denisont, 

 passing into crimson of intense and glowing brilliancy. This species appears to 

 be the most prolific of flowers, and the most charming in colour of any yet 

 introduced. In M. tovarensis (fig. 5), the flowers are white, the white being 

 of very remarkable purity, and the flowers grow from three to five on a scape. 



MasdevaUias should be potted in shallow pots in a compost of fibrous peat, 

 mixed with crocks, charcoal, and coarse sand. The drainage should be very 

 perfect, as they require an abundance of water at the root, and also in the 

 atmosphere. They should be kept near the glass, but out of the sun during 

 summer, and should have as much sun as possible during the rest of the year. The 

 winter temperature should not fall below 40", nor exceed 60° ; while during the 

 summer months they must be kept as cool as possible, consistent with the other 

 requisite conditions. The surface of the soil in which they are grown may with 



3bD BEEIES. — VI. I 



