[ ror J 
SOBRALIA XANTHOLEUCA eta. 5. 
Affinis Sobralize macranthe Lindl. Sepalis latioribus, tepalis multo latioribus crispis, labello circa columnam voluto ore expanso multo crispo, carinis 
in ima basi geminis lamelliformibus elongatis, columna clongata recta. 
SOBRALIA XANTHOLEUCA Rchb. f. MSS. miss. ad dominos Veitch Julio 1880. Descriptio forsan numquam ad Gard. Chron. missa. “Sobralia 
xantholeuca Hort.” Williams Manual, ed. 6, p. §76!; Warner, Williams, Moore, Orch. Alb, vol. vi., plate 250. ; “ The Garden, xxii., 508, tab. 366,” fid. Williams. 
Caulis, vagine ac folia parce ac multum distanter lepidota. Caulis calamum corvinum crassus. Folia cuneato oblonga acuminata, septemnervia, 
marginata, Bractea sessiles lineari acuminate ovariis subbreviores. Flos carnoso membranaccus, Sepala basi in tubum coalita, ligulata acuta. Tepala bene 
latiora plus minus undulata, Labellum cuneato oblongo flabellatum bilobum valde undulatum. Lamella asperule in basi gemina. Columna trigona, 
utrinque sub fovea obscure angulata, apice dentibus falcatis, 
America Centrali allata. Ex horto Veitchiano accepi 1880 Julio utpote ab exc. Fish excultam. Nuper ab exc, Sander introducta. Certe cum 
Sobralia macrantha Lindl. comparanda, cujus florem album in Mexico sponte lectum largitus est exc, Kienast-Zélly Turicensis. Totus flos mihi longe videtur 
abhorrere ab illo Sobralia macranthe. Organa latiora, magis crispa. Color tamen in planta nostra varius. Flores, quos ipse habui ac illi in Orchid Album 
depicti pallidiores, quam illi, quos tabula nostra offert. Vidi ego flores albidos, sepalis sulphureo lava labello intensius flavo, striolis in disco aurantiacis, 
falcibus columne flavis. H. G. Rehb. f. 
Icones analytic. Columnaa latere. Eadem antice. Carine ex labelli basi +  Pollinarium superne + Idem a latere + 
Rarety has an Orchid of great beauty and value come into cultivation so quietly as has this yellow Sobralia. 
It was an inhabitant of an English orchid house before many were aware of its existence, and its discovery and 
introduction appear to have been quite accidental. Among cultivated Orchids there are so few with large yellow 
flowers that this Sobralia with flowers as large as those of a Cattleya is quite a treasure. Until last year the 
original plant was thought to be almost if not quite unique in cultivation, small portions from it realising enormous 
prices. At length, however, having obtained a clue to its native habitat in Central America we despatched a collector in 
search of it, and last year we made a good importation of healthy plants, so that now, though still valuable., it is more 
frequently seen in collections. 
This yellow Sobralia possesses all the points that make S. macrantha so beautiful. It has the same elegant reed-like 
growth and large, handsomely shaped flowers, while the softness of the yellow of the ample lip harmonises well with the 
pale sulphur or almost white of the sepals, producing a most charming effect. The flowers are always deflexed as in S. 
macrantha, but last much longer than those of that species, and are quickly succeeded by others from the same sheath, so 
that the flowering season, which occurs about midsummer, extends over a considerable period. The tall slender stems are 
clothed with broad plaited foliage of a deep green which emphasises the delicacy of the flower tints. In fully developed 
plants the stems rise four and even five fect in height, giving the plant a handsome appearance even when out of bloom. 
Like S. macrantha this yellow species is a true terrestrial Orchid, a strong and free grower, and one that requires 
liberal treatment for its full development. A Cattleya house suits it admirably. It should be potted in a compost of 
fibry loam, with sufficient broken charcoal and coarse sand to keep the compost porous, and as an abundance of water is 
necessary for its well doing during growth, ample provision should be made in the potting for free drainage. A 
moist atmosphere is especially needful during warm weather otherwise insect pests will give trouble, these, however, 
can be kept down by frequent syringings. The plant must have a light and airy position, and would even benefit by 
being placed out of doors in a sheltered position in the summer. The winter temperature should range between 55 deg. 
and 60. deg. F., and of course a less amount of water will be required until spring. 
ion of the Comte de Germiny, from a plant in the collection at the Chateau de Gouville, Cailly (Seine Inférieure), France. 
Drawn by permi 
