56 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



P. CCRTA, (R. Brown.) 



A very common sp., with green flowers, singly on a large stalk, 

 the flower being large, but not acuminate as in cucullata, reflexay 

 and gome of the other larger flowering kinds. The leaves are formed in 

 a radical rosette, large, and in shady places flabby and soft. The 

 tubers of this sp. are readily removed, and witli a little attention will 

 make good strong plants, the flowers in this, as in many other cases, 

 improving on cultivation. To grow it well, use leaf mould tiglitly 

 pressed down into a shallow pot or pan, being careful not to use too 

 much or too little water while in bloom. This is, as I said before, a 

 rery common sp., and should be looked for in shady moist places, 

 where it will be found growing in large patches, the leaves having a 

 somewhat yellow appearance. At Brighton, Cheltenliam, Berwick, 

 and elsewhere. It may be found growing often to a lieight of 12 or 

 1-t inches, but more commonly about 6 inches, which size is the best 

 for removal. Flowers from October to January. Found also in 

 Xew South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania. 

 Bentham also describes a variety named grandijiara, which I have . 

 not seen. 



P. NUTANS, (R. Bro-^vii.) 



This singular and beautiful i<p. is like tlie above, very common 

 throughout Victoria, growing in leaf mould, oiten in saudj soil 

 about Brighton, ]\Iordi:illoc, Daiidenong, &c. It niay be easily 

 recognised from the other sp., by its curious lionded flowers, which 

 has led to the not altogether inappropriate ntime of tlie nodding 

 orchid, and by the wriidded appearance of its radicnl leaves. This is 

 one of the best sp. for cultural purposes, and if, say 50 tubers are 

 placed in a pan, you will find 100 tubers added by the next season. 

 The labellum of this ftp. is very" irritable when touched, but this 

 peculiarity is more noticeable in P. longifoh'a than in any other sp. 

 of the genus; and in this respect, it is quite as sensitive as SfjjUdhim 

 graimnifuUum, or ^Native Jack in the box. As this sp. is so well 

 known to collectors generally, I need not tire you Avith any further 

 description, excepting to state (hat it grows to nearly lo inches 

 high. Flowers in Spring. And is also found in South Australia, 

 Tasmania, Queensland, and New South Wales. 



P. TEDUNCULATA, (R. BrOWU.) 



This very elegant plant, which seems to be identical with P. 

 semiruhra, is to be found always in sliady and moist situations, 

 generally amongst ^Melaleuca scrrrl s near creeks, or on grassy slopes 

 in mountain districts. The tlower when growing in its natural 

 state, assumes a curious reddish appearance, which becomes .nnich 

 less intense when cultivated, although the plant becomes stronger. 



