[79 | 
LAELIA ANCEPS zine, PERCIVALIANA | rcaa, f 
ps Lindl: lobulbis obl ris liphyllis, pedunculo ancipiti dense vaginato, racemoso, uni—paucifloro, bracteis 
alibus oblongo triangulis involutis, lacinia mediana oblongoligulata porrecta. 
y., tab. 73!; Warner, Williams, Moore Orch. Album, 
LA&LIA A 1 
ligulatis acutis ovaria glutinosa aequantibus, labello trifido, laciniis lat 
sLIA ANCEPS, Lindl. Bot. Reg., xxi, tab. 1751!; Hook. Bot. Mag, tab, 3804!; Paxt. Mag. 
ps, Rehb. f, Walpers Ann, VL, p. 418!; Xenia Orch, II. 75! 
Pseudobulbi in singulis varictatibus ulterius describendi, nunc valde abbr viati, nunc clongati. Folia valde coriacea, oblongoligulata obtusa acuta, 
ine integerrima, ubi soli exposita valde obscura. Pedunculus elatus, anceps, apice uni—quadriflorus, Sepala ligulata acuta, extus viscosa, Tepala bene 
latiora, oblonga acuta. Flos typicus intense roscopurpureus. Discus inter lacinias laterales et callus xanthini, Line atropurpuree extrorsum radiata ac 
nunc longitudinales in disco xanthino. Callus elevatus linearis antice tridentatus in basin lacinia medianw excurrens, dente medio longiore. Lacinia antica 
excepto callo obscure atropurea, In basi lacinia antica circa carinas areola alba, seu flaveola epe evanida. Columna albida striolis atropurpureis. 
Srescit in Mexici arboribus pracipue in quercubus. Primi legisse videntur Ruiz et Pavon! (Herb, Boiss.!). Ghiesbreght! Galeotti, 5142! 
Licbmann! In monte Orizaba frequentissima dicitur. 
Jam exstant varietates plures, inter quas albiflora: ab ipsis Mexici incolis jam diu coluntur. Pleraeque ad Europam allate non ex sylvis, sed ex hortis 
exorta. Hodie solum dicamus de una varietate elegantissima. 
VAR. PERCI ANA Rchb, f, Gard. Chron, 1883, Jan. 27, p. 110!: sepalis tepalisque roscis, labelli parte superiori tota auriantiaca lineis atropurpureis, 
laciniarum angulis extimis purpureoviolaccis, lacinia antica retusa alba, antice purpureoviolacea. (In Gard. Chron. sub nomine a me dato arbitrarie addebatur 
“pulcherrima.” Planta evidenter rarissima. Primum mihi innotuit per b. Percival, Southport. Dein nuper ab exc. F, Sander missa. HT. G. Rehb. f. 
Figure analytice. Labellum expansum. Columna a latere, Columna antice, Ha figura: paulisper adaucta. 
For many years the queen of Lzelias, as Lelia anceps undoubtedly is, has been one of the greatest treasures of the 
orchidist. The exquisite beauty of its flowers combined with its elegant growth make it one of the most valuable Orchids 
in cultivation, and flowering as it does in the depth of winter its value is enhanced. For a long time after its introduction 
tiation occurred among the imported plants, but after a while some decidedly distinct 
to European gardens but little v 
forms made their appearance. First, there was a very dark coloured form, which is still unsurpassed in depth of colour of 
sepals and lip. This was first flowered by Mr. Barker, of Birmingham, and is named Barkeriana. It is a rare and highly 
prized variety. Then appeared another variety of extraordinary beauty, totally different from both the original form and 
Barkeriana. It flowered first in the late Mr. Dawson’s collection in Scotland in 1868, and is named Dawsoni; this is known 
so well by orchidists that no description of it is necessary. During the last ten years a numerous series of varieties have 
been introduced to Europe, chiefly through the exertions of our own collectors, who were sent to explore new localities in 
Mexico and instructed to collect only plants representing a decided variation from the original form ; the result being that 
there are now about a dozen different varieties, every one possessing great beauty. One has spotless white flowers, and is 
named alba. Stella has bold large flowers with pencillings of colour in the lip. Sanderiana most nearly resembles the 
lovely Dawsoni, and is, perhaps, only a geographical form of the same variety. The names of others are Schroederiana, 
rosea, delicata, vestalis, Hilliana, Williamsiana, Leeana and Percivaliana, the last being the variety herewith figured. 
This plant is singularly distinct from any other variety. The sepals and petals are rather narrow and the labellum 
is blunt, and this, combined with the peculiar arrangement of the tints, readily distinguishes it from other forms. 
It was first flowered by the late Mr. R. P. Percival, of Southport, who was exceptionally successful in the culture of 
Leelias and Cattleyas, and of this particuliar variety he possessed gigantic specimens which bore dozens of flower spikes 
every season. When the Percival collection was dispersed two specimens of this Lzelia were sold respectively for 75 
guineas and 100 guineas. The original plant of Percival’s Lelia was discovered and sent home by one of our collectors, 
who found it on the mountain ranges near Orizaba, in Mexico, and Mr. Percival was the purchaser of this particular 
plant. 
The culture of Lzelia anceps is now well understood, and it may be classed among the easily managed Orchids. 
It succeeds best in a Cattleya house with a temperature ranging from 55 deg. in winter to 75 deg. F. with sun heat in 
summer. It is best grown in a suspended basket or shallow pan, planted in the usual light Orchid compost. Active 
growth commences a few weeks after the flowering season is past, which, in the case of Percival’s variety, is in February. 
The pseudo-bulbs will then begin to send out numerous small roots, and as soon as these are perceived the plants must 
have abundance of moisture, sunlight and air. During active growth it is beneficial to this as well as to other Orchids 
grown under similar conditions to close the house for a few hours during the afternoon so as to enable the plants to 
benefit by the warm moisture-laden atmosphere, but during the summer the house should be ventilated at night. 
Throughout the summer until autumn the plants must have plenty of water, but during October and November they 
should be kept dry and cool in order to give them a decided rest. When the flower spikes are forming in autumn great 
care must be exercised in watering, for if the plants receive too little the spikes will be impaired in vigour, and if too 
much danger may be apprehended from excessive dampness. 
Prepared from a plant in the collection of A. Wilson, Esq., Westbr ‘ook, Sheffield. 
