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CYMBIDIUM MASTERSII Grig, ALBUM  Reica, ¢ 
CyMBIDIUM MAsrersit Griff: caulescens foliis distichis anguste lineari lanccis acutis, pedunculo spathis acuminatis ancipitibus pluribus apice 
racemoso, bracteis triangulis acutis minutis, ovaria pedicellata longe non equantibus.. Sepalis tepalisque ligulatis acutis, labello a basi flabellato, antice trifido 
laciniis late triangulis, lacinia mediana vulgo basi unguiculato coarctata hastato triangula subacuta undulata (nunc ligulata acuta sessili), labelli infima basi 
column adnata, carinis geminis a basi in basin lacinie medi, ibi angulati, angulo extrorso utrinque supra mediam carinam, columna trigona utrinque 
antice marginato incrassata, anthera umbonata caudicula quadrata, glandula supposita humiliori adnato. 
CYMBIDIUM MASTERSII Griff. in Lindl. Bot, Reg., 1845, xxxi. tab, 50; Lindl. in Paxt. Fl. G. iii, 78! Lemaire Jardin fleur, 289, t. 98. Floral Mag. 
2 ser. 301. 
Planta satis bella, quando non floret, florens pulchrior. Flores nunc bene numerosi albi labelli carinis flavis maculis violaceis antice in labello, 
6. ALBUM Rchb. f. in Williams, O. Mannal 6 edit., 1888, p. 234. Flores purissime albi exceptis carinis, 
Crescit in territorio Assamensi. Primum floruit in horto Calcuttensi, ubi ab Griffith exc. Masters, in horto illo, “assistenti principali,” dicata. Decembri 
1844. floruit apud C. Loddiges. 
icones analytica, Labellum ct columna a latere. Labellum a latere. Column duo + Anthere inferne + Pollinaria duo + 
A COMPARATIVELY small number of the large Eastern genus Cymbidium are in general cultivation, but among these 
there are some of the choicest orchids, graceful in growth and extremely lovely in flower. No other flowers can surpass 
the chaste beauty of such as those of C. eburneum, Dayanum, affine, Parishii and Mastersii, all of which form a natural 
group, with graceful evergreen grassy foliage and pure white wax-like flowers. C. Mastersii is an orchid of the olden 
times, of the days when the almost forgotten firm of Loddiges, of Hackney, were the only introducers of new exotic 
plants. They received this Cymbidium from India, it having been discovered by the botanist Griffith, and named by him 
in compliment to a botanical friend in the Calcutta Botanic Garden. Loddiges first flowered it in 1844, three years after 
they received it, and Dr, Lindley had it illustrated in the Botanical Register. It was then looked upon as a grand 
acquisition, its larger flowered relative C. eburneum being still unknown. A well grown specimen of Master’s Cymbidium, 
furnished with numerous flower spikes gracefully drooping amidst the long recurved foliage, is most effective, and the 
strong and sweet perfume, which Lindley likens to crushed almonds, adds to its charms. The finer the plant the longer 
will be the spikes and more numerous the flowers, for good culture has great influence upon the flower crop of this and 
similar species. There is but little variation in the flowers even when hundreds of plants are seen in bloom, but there is 
a form called album, in the flower of which the carmine spots on the lip are absent, and only a stain of yellow mars the 
perfect purity of the blossom. This variety is very scarce. A rare merit of this orchid is that it flowers in late autumn 
and winter, and its spikes when cut remain fresh and beautiful for weeks in a cool room. 
Like other strong growing terrestrial orchids this plant requires generous treatment. A compost consisting of 
three parts of fibrous loam, mixed with broken charcoal and silver sand so as to keep it open, suits it well. The pot 
should be thoroughly drained, as the plant requires an abundance of water while growing. The annual growth commences 
almost as soon as the plant is out of flower, and then it should be repotted if necessary, During the hot days of summer 
the plants may be syringed daily, which tends to keep away red spider. The temperature of a Cattleya house suits it 
admirably, and when in autumn the flower spikes are forming it may with advantage be placed in a rather warmer house 
so as to aid the full developement of the spikes. In some gardens this and similar species of Cymbidium are grown as 
fine foliage plants and are used in room decorations with Palms and other graceful leaved plants. 
Our plate is from a plant now in the collection of Mons, E, Wallaert van der Reste, Rue Marie Thérese, Brussels, 
