352 ORCHIDS. 
0. luteo-purpureum.—In this species we have a plant of 
robust habit, and extremely variable both in size of 
flowers and in the intensity of their markings—so much 
so that hardly two specimens are alike. Its pseudo-bulbs, 
leaves, and habit, are as in O. crispum, but stronger. 
Flowers from 3in. to 4in. across; sepals and petals equal, 
rich brown or purple, blotched and banded with white or 
light yellow, and having a golden-yellow border ; lip white, 
with a brown base, minutely serrate or fringed. This species 
blooms during winter and spring, and may be grown along 
with O. crispum. It is a native of mountain regions in 
New Granada, at an elevation of 8o0o0oft. or more. 
Illustration Horticole, 1871, t. 73. 
“As a species, O. luteo-purpureum is one of the most 
variable known, a circumstance to be partly accounted for 
by the large area over which it is spread, and by its inter- 
mixture with other species, which has resulted, not only 
in the production of natural hybrids, but also from them 
and their parents has sprung an exceedingly mixed progeny. 
.... The most constant of these forms are amplissimum, 
cuspidatum, facetum, Hinnus, Mulus, sceptrum, Vuyl- 
stektanum’’ (Veitch). The chief characteristics of these 
varieties are as follow: 
Var. amplissimum.—Sepals and petals very broad, pale 
yellow, with cinnamon-brown blotches. 
Var. cuspidatum.—Sepals and petals narrow, yellow and 
brown; lip wavy, pale yellow, with a large, square, 
chestnut-brown blotch in the centre. 
Var. facetum.—Flowers curiously blotched and spotted, 
with crimson markings at the base of the petals. 
Var. Hinnus.—Sepals and petals narrow and undulate ; 
lip rhomboid, with a many-toothed crest. 
Var. Mulus.—A grand form, with long, pointed sepals 
and petals, large blotches, and a larg-, fiddle-shaped lip. 
