centre; the cup is white dotted with mauve. Another variety has sepals and petals 
of greenish-yellow blotched with dark brown. Flowers in late Winter and lasts 
four weeks. 
SARCANTHUS and ALLIED GENERA 
These genera of orchids are of little value from the orchid grower’s point of view. 
There are between 40 and 50 species recorded. A couple of species are found in 
Queensland or northern New South Wales, and these are sometimes grown by 
collectors who specialise in Australian orchids. Occasionally a few plants of Stauro- 
chilus Dawsonianus arrive in Australia wrongly labelled Renanthera Imshoo- 
tiana, although the resemblance between the plants is superficial. 
The native species are:— 
SARCANTHUS BECKLERI. 
Habitat—northern New South Wales. Small growing species, generally found on 
the smaller branches of trees in the coastal scrubs. Flowers small, green-brown and 
sweetly scented. 
SARCANTHUS TRIDENTATUS. 
Habitat—throughout the coastal districts from North Queensland to Victoria. 
Grows in masses in the scrub trees usually in close proximity to running creeks, 
etc. Flowers are small and green with deep red markings. The lip is three-pronged 
or trident-like (hence the name) and very large in comparison with the rest 
of the flower. It is a very fragrant orchid—in fact overpoweringly so at certain 
hours. 
The best method of growing these orchids is to attach them to a block of wood— 
and hang them in the moistest part of a bushhouse. Ample water is essential al- 
ways, though in the Winter they manage with much less than in the Summer. 
They will also grow planted in shallow baskets or pans with a compost consisting 
principally of crocks, charcoal and a little staghorn peat or todea. 
Trixspermum «album, Camarotis Keffordii, Saccolabium brevilabre, Sarcanthus 
MacPhersonii and Saccolabium orbiculare are all Northern species and varieties 
differing more or less from the type. They require warmer conditions than the 
Southern species. 
The exotic species best suited for cultivation are:— 
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