CHYSIS AUREA. Native of Colombia and Western Venezuela. 
A cool growing species suitable for bushhouse culture in Brisbane and the North. 
Cool glasshouse will serve in Sydney. Spindle-shaped pseudobulbs up to about 9 
inches in length. Flowers, which are broad and cup-shaped and have thick fleshy 
sepals and petals, are borne on short racemes and are brownish-yellow in colour, 
the lip being marked with crimson on the inside. This species usually flowers twice 
a year; the flower scapes are short and usually carry five or more blooms. They are 
produced laterally with the young growth. 
CHYSIS BRACTESCENS. Native of Mexico. 
A large growing species, its pseudobulbs being about a foot long. Leaves long 
and broad with prominent ribs—acutely pointed and somewhat plicate (plaited). 
Flowers in early Winter from short spikes, each flower being up to three inches in 
diameter. Sepals and petals waxy white—lip white outside—bright yellow inside 
—front being marked with crimson lines and having thick tooth-like projections. 
This species grows in the thick rain forests of Yucatan, Campeche and Chiapas. It 
requires to be kept to a minimum temperature of 65 degrees throughout the year 
so is not suited for bushhouse treatment. A warm glasshouse may serve in the 
warmer parts of Brisbane and the north—otherwise heat. Apply ample water 
throughout the period of growth and keep dry and cooler after growth complete. 
CHYSIS LAEVIS. Native of Mexico. 
Stems are fifteen inches long and pendant. Flowers from the young growths in 
midsummer. Racemes pendulous and longer than those of bractescens and flowers 
more numerous. Upper sepals and petals orange, the lower part being yellow. Lip 
yellow marked with crimson blotches, front lobe frilled. Same treatment and 
conditions as for bractescens. 
CIRRHOPETALURM 
This is a genus of evergreen epiphytical orchids of a quaint beauty which makes a 
few of them interesting novelties in an orchid collection. Many of the species are 
of botanical interest rather than of horticultural value, and this applies to our 
North Queensland species, clavigerum. There are, however, some half-a-dozen 
species, which are worth while growing for their beauty and quaintness. The de- 
rivation of the name is “Cirrhus,” a tendril, and ‘‘Petalon,” a petal or flower leaf, 
and this gives quite a good idea of the nature of the flower—as the two lateral 
sepals are extended in a long and sinuous “tail” tapering away to a fine point. They 
Note.—There is some doubt as to the correctness of the derivation of the name Cirrhopetalum. 
Some authorities hold that the correct derivation is from the Greek ‘‘Kirrhos” meaning yellowish 
or tawny (referring to the colour of the petals). Mr. P. A. Gilbert takes this view. On the other 
hand an American catalogue just received gives the same derivation as used in the text. Which- 
ever is correct, both are appropriate, and I am prepared to accept either of them.—J. M. Cox, 
26-11-1945. 
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