AN ENCYCLOPJEDIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 423 
Cypripedium—continued. 
Sir John Lubbock, speaking of C. longifolium, says: 
“The opening into the slipper is small, and partly closed 
by the stigma and the shield-like body which lies between 
the two anthers, The result is that the opening into the 
slipper has a horseshoe-like form, and that bees or other 
insects which have once entered the slipper have some 
difficulty in getting out again. While endeavouring to do 
so, they can hardly fail to come in contact with the stigma, 
which lies under the shield-like representation of the middle 
anther. As the margins of the lip are inflected, the easiest 
exit is at the two ends of the horseshoes, and by one or 
other of these the insect generally escapes; in doing which, 
however, it almost inevitably comes in contact with, and 
carries off, some of the pollen from the corresponding 
anther. The pollen of this genus is immersed in a viscid 
fluid, by means of which it adheres first to the insect, 
and secondly to the stigma, while in most orchids it is 
the stigma that is viscid.” 
Reference has already been made to the remarkable pouch 
by which the flowers are characterised: it may be added 
that the petals and sepals are narrow and rather long, ex- 
tending sometimes into slender tail-like appendages of 
great length. The blossoms are, in 
different species, yellowish, pink, or 
white; in some instances, they are beau- 
tifully dotted and lined with pink or 
green, and in many kinds purple and 
brown, of various shades, are the pre- 
dominating colours. У 
АП amateur plant growers who аге 
about 1to--ecommence orchid growing, 
should begin with a few of the commoner species of 
Lady's Slipper, for the following reasons: they are not 
expensive, or difficult to cultivate, but thrive admirably 
amongst ordinary stove plants; they flower very freely, 
and continue in perfection a long time. Some blossom 
in mid-winter, others during the summer months; and 
those who wish for fine exhibition subjects cannot have 
more attractive or telling plants. 
Cultivation. Although Cypripediums are very easily 
cultivated, they differ from the majority of orchidaceous 
plants, inasmuch as they do not, in potting, require to be 
elevated above the rim of the pot, but inserted in the 
same manner as ordinary plants. The best soil for them 
is a mixture of two parts good peat, one part chopped 
sphagnum, one part thoroughly decayed leaf mould, and 
a portion of sharp silver sand. In potting, an important 
point for consideration is drainage. This must be thorough 
and effective, for, as these plants have no pseudo-bulbs 
to sustain them, they must not be dried off, as many 
` other orchids are, during winter; and, if the drainage is 
defective, the roots are sure to decay and the leaves 
. shrivel. In the case of the hardier kinds of Lady's 
Slipper, & large portion of good friable loam, in addition 
to the above soil, is recommended. It has been frequently 
said that deciduous species of Cypripedium are very 
difficult to cultivate; but, with a suitable rather shady 
position and a little care, they will thrive as well as 
many other herbaceous plants. 
stemless).* itary, ; Sepals 
е nt inei de MEE rfe is of зү Жетти] 
warm тозе, blotched with pom May and June. J. twin, broad, 
light green, sparingly clothed with short soft downy hairs; from 
their centre arises the short scape. Northern United States, 1786. 
An extremely rare species, of great hardihood. (B. M.192) A 
white-flowered variety also occurs. 
ъф . white, rose, n, blackish-purple, 
e Q: Ану i, ки ес е ае. vith 
grey. Л. 1, Philippines, 1873. Stove. (B. Н. 1882, 9.) 
: ‘ Ram’s-head.* jl. solitary; sepals and petals 
-brown ; lip red and whitish-veined. May. Stems leafy, 
^. Tin. to 10in. Northern Она States and Canada, 1808, 
г сасы sepal large, and 
: d ; petals ligulate, white, tin; with green, 
and veined with purple ; lip пэ зере Ц tinged nope and 
Cypripedium — continued. 
slightly blotched with purple. J. ligulate, dark green, faintl е 
reticulated. Stove, A rre some hybrid, raised from C. barbata 
and C. insigne. (G. C. n..s., 1871, 1647.) 
C. barbatum (bearded)* 7. solitary ; dorsal sej and 
broad, the lower portion beautifully flecked t. the 
upper half pure white ; petals similar in colour, ornamented with 
several tufts of black hairs, which are produced from the purple 
shining warts bordering the upper edge of the petals ; lip large, 
blackish-purple. Spring and summer. J. distichous, oblong, light 
green, curiously blotched and spotted with irregular markings of 
very dark green. h. lft. Malacca, 1838. Stove, This is about 
Fic. 591. FLOWER OF CYPRIPEDIUM BARBATOM, 
* 
the most familiar species of the genus. See Fig. 591. M. 
4234.) "There are numerous forms of the species, which vary 
considerably in the peculiar mottling of the leaves, and in the — — 
size and brilliancy of the colourin of their blossoms, so that, to —— 
insure a good typical form, intending purchasers should make - 
their selection whilst the plants are in Р ед The following are 
the best varieties : a 
b. nigrum (black) jl. larger than those of any other form of 
the type, and the colour much darker. The foliage is finely 
variegated. It continues six weeks in flower. De PME 
C. b. superbum (superb)* Much like the 
variegated foliage, amiet more аблае. very dark, : 
dorsalsepalpurer white towards the apex. — 
A Veitchianum (Veitch’s).* A very fine 
C. biflorum (two- i al very han 
part white А re: „ping paris ce о дош | x 
ong. l elegantly 
C. Boxallii (Boxall's)* Л, sepal of a beat 
green, with a noc ah Reiki d with 
spots; inferior sepal oblong: shorter | 
C. Calceolus.* Common 
po narrow, spreading, 
abellum allow. l. glabrous, . h, é 
Rand Europe (England) Hardy. See Fig. 592. (О.С. 
North Asia an 
n. 8., xi, 813.) EC 
qo ax i pur 4 wn 
оа наша бшш. ^ir iin. North America, Ш, A 
and pretty species. Hardy. (B. M. 5855.) ыы 
B 
