[ 27 | 
CATTLEYA LAWRENCEANA Ress. 7 
Pseudobulbis fusiformi clavatis sulcatis monophyllis, folio cuneato oblongo, spatha ligulata, oblique acuta, pedunculo plurifloro, flore maximo expanso 
membranacco, sepalis ligulatis acutis, lateralibus curvulis, tepalis cuncato oblongis acutiusculis crispulis, labello de basi curva descendente, pandurato, parte 
antica dilatata emarginata crispula, portione superiori (laciniis lateralibus) utrinque semioblongis, columna curvula superne dilatata, valde brevi (androclinii 
lacinia postica lineari subacuta). 
CATTLEYA LAWRENCEANA, Rchb. f, Gard. Chron., 1885, March 14, p. 338!; Gard. Chron., 1885, March 21, p. 374. xyl. lc. p. 375, Nr. 69!; Gard. 
Chron., 1885, Aug. 8. p. 168, p. 169, f. 34! (the home of Cattleya Lawrenceana). 
Pseudobulbi et folia introducta rufulo lavata, haud dubie quod loco natali soli exposita. Flos lilacino purpureus parte labelli antica obscure purpurca, 
disco pallide flavo. 
Planta inexspectata, egregia, magno cum gaudio dicata ill. Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart. M.P., P.R.H.S. 
Crescit in Guyana anglica, ubi detecta a. Rob. H. Schomburgk, dein a collectore Seidl, Sanderiano, “Mr. Seidl had visited the place in the previous 
April, and had then detected the plant.” Everard F. im Thurn, Gard. Chron., 1885, Aug. 8, p. 168! 
VAR. CONCOLOR: labello omnino concolori lilacino purpureo. 
CATTLEYA LAWRENCEANA CONCOLOR, Rchb. f, in Gard. Chron., 1886, May 6, p. 585! Accepi a dom F. A. Philbrick, Oldfield, Bickley, Kent. 
HT. G. Rehb. f. 
AVR y. bl 
Our analytical drawings show a side view of the curved lip, a column in front view, two columns in side view ; the latter three figures enlarged. 
1g p ) > § 
Some few years ago, whilst looking over the drawings of Sir Robert Schomburgk, made by his artist in Guiana and 
preserved in the British Museum, we found an illustration of a Cattleya which appeared quite strange to us, and being 
so beautiful and distinct from any we had previously seen, our curiosity was excited as to what it could be. On reading 
Schomburgk’s “ Travels in British Guiana in 1836,” we found that he alludes to a Cattleya which he discovered near the 
Roraima Mountains, and which he called C. Mossi, but knowing that this Cattleya had only been found in 
Venezuela, we doubted the probability of its occurring in Guiana, and determined to find it, and if possible identify it. 
Accordingly, we sent one of our collectors, E. Seidl, in search of the plant, a journey that proved laborious and indeed 
a most perilous one. After hunting for the Cattleya for six months Scidl returned to England without the coveted 
treasure, but a year later we sent him again to continue the search, which this time was attended with greater success, as 
he discovered it and came home with a good gathering of living plants. To Seidl, therefore, belongs the honour of 
having introduced to Europe what proves to be one of the most glorious Cattleyas ever brought from the South American 
forests. This orchid possesses quite a history, and its introduction affords an instance of what the perseverance and 
energy of a collector will accomplish. Importers may guide their travellers and put them on the track of novelties, but the 
serious part of the work belongs solely to the men who jeopardise their lives in the perilous search for new plants in track- 
less regions. Some, alas, lose their lives in the work, but their names live in the beautful plants they have been the 
means of introducing. Orchidists are familiar with the names of Wallis, Endrés, Klaboch, Falkenberg, Schréder, Arnold, 
Douglas, and others, who have died in the cause of botanical science. An interesting note respecting the native habitat of 
Cattleya Lawrenceana was published in the Gardeners’ Chronicle last year from Mr. E. F. im Thurn, who had recently 
ascended the Roraima mountain. He states that the altitude of the spot where the Cattleya occurs is 3750 feet above sea 
level, alongside the Kookenaam river, on the south side of the twin mountains of Roraima and Kookenaam. 
As to the plant itself we have little to say. Mr. Moon’s successful drawing of it shows more than words can 
describe. Its extreme beauty, its floriferousness, and its absolute distinctness from any other Cattleya, have been so well 
pourtrayed. Although it has not been more than a year or so in cultivation it is already an established favourite, for every 
one appreciates its value as an early summer flowering Cattleya. It commences to flower about March, when the Cattleya 
Trianzei flowering season is on the wane, and continues to bloom until the early flowers of C. Mossize and C. Mendelii 
appear. Its multiflorus character is most remarkable, for eight flowers have already been produced on home grown bulbs, 
so it is probable that as many as fourteen—the number of scars seen on the decayed flower spikes of imported plants, 
which often measure over a foot in length—may be obtained in Europe. The colour varies from pale lilac, indeed almost 
white, to a deep purple lilac, with a deep maroon crimson lip., In some forms the lip is entirely coloured, while in others 
the upper part is pure white or primrose pellow. 
This Cattleya succeeds best when placed at the warmest end of a Cattleya house during active growth. The plants 
should be exposed to full light and sun, for, though it grows in Roraima in diffused light, it must not be shaded in this 
country except during excessively bright days. It may be grown in hanging baskets or in pots, but, as it grows naturally 
among rocks, it will no doubt be found to thrive best under pot culture, like C. Percivaliana. The pots must be placed 
near the roof, on the sunny side of the house. After the flowering season, which occurs during March and April, they 
should be placed at the coolest part of the Cattleya house, so as to rest the plants, and water should be sparingly given, 
sufficient only to keep the bulbs from shrivelling. As soon as young growths appear the plants must be removed to their 
warm growing quarters, and there receive abundance of water and light. 
Drawn from the plant in a possession of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart. M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking. 
