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SACCOLABIUM GIGANTEUM  cinaz 
Foliis latissimis locatis coriaceis crassis apice inaequali obtuse bilobis, racemo densifloro, sepalis cuneato ovatis obtuse acutis, tepalis angustioribus, 
labelli_ lamina cum columna subparallela ob calcaris limbos laterales preruptos liberos cuneato flabellato apice trifidas laciniis lateralibus semirhombeis, lacinia 
media ligulata crassa retusa haud producta, lineis barbellatis geminis in basi utrinque in latus calcaris transcendentibus, calcari compresso cylindraceo-conico 
obtusus, columna brevi reclinata, 
: SACCOLABIUM GIGANTEUM, Lindl. Gen, et Spec. Orch, 221 !; Rchb, f, Gard. Chron, 1867, 26!; Hook. Bot. Mag,, xciii., 1867, 5635 !; Warner, 
Williams, T. Moore Orchid Album, IL, 56! 
__VANDA DENSIFLORA, Lindl, in Paxt. Fl. Gard. I. sub tab. 42 (Vanda tricolori) .An enumeration of the Species of Vanda, Nr. 1, p. 21. Lindl. 
Folia Orchidacea, Vanda, Nr. 22. Van Houtte Flore des Serres, xvii., 1765, 1766! 
Flores albi. Ovarium vulgo, album, basin rufus amcthystinum. Sepala et tepala alba maculis amethystinis. Labellum album antice plus minus 
amethystinum, striolis quibusdam striatis purpureis maculisque parvis purpurcis, Columna viridis guttis purpureis, Anthera ochroleuca, rostro antico albido. 
Crescit in Burma, Siam, Cochinchina. 
Qu tyre 
Figure analytic. Labellum expansum cum parte calcaris. Columna, labellum, ovarium a latere. Anthera. Pollinaria dua utroque latere, 
AmonG what are commonly called East Indian Orchids there are few, if any, rivals to this superb species which is 
undeniably the queen of a numerous and very beautiful genus. The noble growth of the plant, the massive spikes of 
brilliantly-coloured blossoms, combined with their spicy fragrance render it one of the finest Orchids in cultivation. It is 
quite an old introduction, having been brought to England from the jungles of Burmah over twenty-five years ago. It 
was known to botanists long before that date, for it happened to fall in the track of the collectors associated with that 
famous Indian botanist the late Dr. Wallich when he was exploring the region of East India. Wallich described this 
Orchid in glowing terms, but not until it was first flowered in England could material be obtained to justify his 
description. Lindley subsequently named it Vanda densiflora, but afterwards returned to its first name. 
The plant was first flowered in Europe at Farnham Castle, in Surrey, where the late Bishop of Winchester, an 
ardent lover of Orchids, formed one of the finest collections in England. He received the plant from a friend in Burmah 
in 1859, and three years later it bloomed, revealing such beautiful and fragrant flowers as to astonish even those who 
expected to see a wonderful Orchid. The plant was three feet in height when imported, and in each leaf axil were the 
remains of a flower spike over a foot long. It is one of the freest flowering of all the Saccolabia, but is somewhat slow in 
growth. It is found wild along the whole coast line of the Malayan Archipelago, Siam and Cambodia, and in Cochin China, 
and this wide geographical range has given rise to several distinct varieties, one of the most remarkable being that named 
illustre, which differs from the type in having longer and broader leaves, a longer flower raceme, and more brilliantly- 
coloured blossoms. This variety occurs in Cambodia, but even the plants collected in other localities vary considerably 
as regards the intensity of the colour, some forms being very much darker and finer than others. There is also a pure 
albino, but this, like other white va ieties, is extremely rare. This Saccolabium has been imported in large quantities, 
owing to the facility with which the plants can be collected, and they usually arrive here in good condition. It grows 
naturally in low places, but in rather dry situations, very often on trees in paddy and other cultivated fields, and generally 
upon the trunks below the branches. In European gardens it blooms during the winter months. 
This Saccolabium must be cultivated in a warm and moist house in company with Vandas, Aerides and other East 
Indian Orchids. Being of large growth, it is best to grow it in pots, and the plants should be placed in a light position, 
but shaded from fierce sunlight. Like other Orchids of a similar nature, it has a season of growth, and afterwards 
a season of rest, corresponding with the hot and cool seasons in its native habitat. The cool season occurs from 
November till March, when a period of dry heat sets in, followed by the rainy season, beginning in June and lasting for 
several weeks. During the rainy season these epiphytic Orchids are in active growth, and by the time the new foliage is 
matured, the cool season recurs. It is easy to imitate these conditions in cultivation. In June and throughout the 
summer the plants must have abundance of heatand moisture. The resting season occurs after flowering, when the plants 
must have a cooler and drier treatment until the spring. A dry atmosphere during the cooler treatment is most essential, 
as this and other Saccolabia are liable to leaf spot at all times. It is best to obtain imported plants about September. 
Plate drawn in the Dell collection by permission of Baron J. H. W. Schréder, Mo. Bot. Garden, 
1893 
