AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 279 
Catalpa-—continued. 
Ес. 382. FLOWERING BRANCH OF CATALPA BIGNONIOIDES. 
C. bignonioides, but may be distinguished from that species chiefly 
by its softly downy, slender, acuminate and inodorous leaves, 
marked with similar glands in the axils of the principal veins 
on the under side; by its much less crowded racemes, and by 
its much larger flower, fruit, and seed. 
C. syringzefolia (Syringa-leaved). A synonym of C. bignonioides, 
CATANANCHE (from katanangke, a strong incentive ; 
referring to an ancient custom among the Greek women of 
using it in love potions). Овр. Composite, Very pretty and 
free-growing annuals or perennials. Pappus scaly pointed; | 
involuere scarious; florets all ligulate; heads solitary, on 
long stalks. They thrive in ordinary border soil In- 
—erensed by seeds, which should be sown in March or April, 
and the young plants, when large enough, potted off or 
pricked out in the position they are intended to occupy. 
The flowers are very useful for cutting. 
C. ezerulea (blue) fl.-heads blue, or blue and white. August, 
i. hoary, narrow, lanceolate, with one or two little teeth on 
each side. л. 3ft. South Europe, 1596. Hardy perennial The 
form producing blue and white flowers is known in gardens as 
C. bicolor. See Fig. 383. (B. M. 293.) 
С: lutea (yellow). jL-heads yellow. June. А. 1%. J. similar to 
those of C. c@rulea. South Europe, 1640. Hardy annual. 
(S. F. G. 821.) 
CATASETUM (from kata, downward, and seta, а 
bristle; referring to the position of the two horns of the 
column). ORD. Orchidee. А large genus of strong, rapid- 
growing stove epiphytes, more curious than beautiful. 
Flowers generally green, in erect or drooping racemes 
from the base of the stem; sepals and petals of a firm, 
leathery texture. Leaves plaited, membranous. It is 
probable that if better known, this genus, as well as its 
allies, Cycnoches and Mormodes, would be more generally 
cultivated, as the singular structure of their flowers always 
commands a considerable amount of interest; while the 
manner in which the pollen masses of the Catasetums are 
ejected, is in itself a great curiosity. Another charac- 
teristic of the Catasetums and Cycnoches is the occasional 
production of two or three kinds of flowers on the same 
plant, sometimes on the same flower-spike. So dissimilar 
are these flowers, that, when first observed, they were con- 
sidered to belong to distinct genera, and named respectively 
C. maculatum (spotted).* lea tip ciated. with pun 
Catasetum, Monachanthus, and Myanthus, the first name 
Catasetum—continued. 
being assigned to the large fleshy flowers furnished with 
horns or feelers, and which are now generally considered to 
be the seed-bearing flowers; the second to the hornless, 
sterile flowers; and the last to those which, together with 
other structural differences, bear the horns at the base, 
instead of the apex, of the column. When growing, too 
much water can scarcely be given them, provided they be 
well drained; but, when resting, they should be dried as 
thoroughly as a deciduous Dendrobe; the resting period to 
continue from the time the new growths are fully completed 
until they again begin to:grow, no matter how long it may 
be, unless flower-spikes appear, in which case water should 
be given until the flowers are decayed. 
Catasetums may be grown with consider- 
able success in pots, but baskets are much 
more satisfactory. 
C. barbatum (bearded). fl., sepals and petals 
narrow, green, and blotched with purple; lip 
green and pink, outer edge fringed, delicate 
fibres of a dull white, like a beard. May. 
Demerara, 1836, (B. R. 1778.) 
C. callosum (hardened).* Л. brownish-yellow ; 
petals linear-lanceolate, same form as dorsal 
sepal; lip ovate-oblong, obtuse, saccate 
towards the base, crenated and furnished 
above the sac with a large orange-coloured 
callosity; column acuminate. June. А. lft. 
e La Guayra, 1840. (B. M. 4219.) 
cristatum (crested). greenish; perianth spreading; 
E RY saccate, Cree h. 2ft. deti 
FiG. 383. CATANANCHE CJERULEA. 
; ms b 
Mexico. (B. Te 2, 62) - 
