EPIDENDRUM PRISMATOCARPUM Rehb. f. 
EPIDENDRUM PRISMATOCARPUM, Rchb. f, in Bot, Zeit. 1852, p. 729; Xenia Orch. IL, t. 123. Warner, Sel. Orch. PL, I, t.9. Bot. Mag,, t. 5336. 
Lindl, Fol. Orch. No. 23. Walp. Rep. VI, 322. Rchb, f, Hamb. Gartenz, 1850, p. 57. 
Aff. EPIDENDRO BRASSAVOL&, Rchb. f.: labelli lamina basi utrinque auriculata dein cuneato cordata triangula acuminata, 
Pseudobulbus pyriformis seu pytiformi semifusiformis compressus diphyllus ; ultra spithamaeus, Folia cuneato ligulato acuta gemina, nunc internodio 
evoluto separata, Spatha arcta elongata. Pedunculus ultra pedalis racemosus hinc basi libera vagina una alterave onustus. Flores diametro bipollicari, sepala 
ligulata acuta prasina, atropurpureo maculata, macule magne uniscriate, transverse, margine lobose ; sepala lateralia extus subcarinata. Tepala falcata 
acuta, prasina, minus maculata, Labellum infra dimidium column adnatum (Aulizeum 
forme ; callus depressus a basi in basin trulle, antice bilobus omnino biligulatus, 
luteus, antice purpureus. Columna flava, basi atropurpurea, clavata apice trifida, laciniz later, 
semiovatus medio elevatum, fovea obtusangula. Anthera depressa, Pollinia | 
EPIDENDRUM MACULATUM, Rchb. f, of « Stevens’ Sales,” 
EPIDENDRUM URO-SKINNERN, Hort. et E. NIGROMACULATUM, Hort. 
Icones analytica, Columna antice et postice. Labellum, ct labellum et columna.  Pollinaria. 
THE genus Epidendrum is one of the largest in the natural order Orchideze, comprising upwards of three hundred known 
species, of which the great majority, however, are of little horticultural value, on account of the dullness of the flowers of 
some and the inconspicuousness of others—facts which render them fit only for botanical collections, or valuable to those 
who take pride in the curiosities of shape and form exhibited in this great family. Epidendrum prismatocarpum, 
however, with others, such as the beautiful nemorale, the large orange-flowered vitellinum majus, Brassavolz, Wallisii, 
cinnabarinum, &c., may be taken as exceptions. To these may be added the chaste bicornutum, which is generally looked 
upon as an Epidendrum in gardens, but which in reality belongs to the genus Diacrium. 
Like a great many other plants deserving of cultivation, this Epidendrum is, comparatively speaking, rare, hence 
the reason it is so seldom met with in collections. It was first discovered by Warscewicz growing wild in the island of 
Veragua, off the coast of Costa Rica, and it has also been found in Chiriqui and on the mainland, but not in any great 
quantities. It is from near this region that the golden-flowered Cattleya Dowiana and the beautiful Odontoglossum 
CErstedii, now so well known, come, Although described by Professor Reichenbach as far back as 1852 in the Botanische 
Zeitung, it was quite ten years afterwards before this Epidendrum found its way into cultivation, and since that time it 
has always been held in great esteem by those who are fortunate enou xh to possess it. This species is characterised by 
its deep green flask-shaped pseudo-bulbs, about six inches in length, from the apex of which are given off two shining 
deep-green, strap-shaped leaves, more or less gracefully recurved, and also an erect raceme bearing from fifteen to twenty, 
and sometimes more, large flowers, the sepals and petals of which are of a pale yellowish-green, handsomely covered with 
large blackish-purple blotches, which give them at once a most peculiar and attractive appearance, such as is rarely seen, 
The colour of the long, triangular lip presents a striking contrast to that of the sepals and petals, being of a beautiful 
warm rose. There are several varieties of this species to be found in cultivation, all varying more or less in the depth of 
colouring ; but the variety most worthy of cultivation is that having deep dark blotches on the sepals and petals, similar 
to that which our plate represents. The flowers are freely produced early in the summer months, and remain in perfection 
for several weeks—a fact which renders this species very valuable at this particular season of the year for exhibition 
purposes. 
This Epidendrum will succeed in pots or baskets, but we prefer growing them in the former. The pots should 
be well drained with clean crocks, which are necessary to the successful cultivation of all pot Orchids—and then the plants 
should be firmly secured in a compost of good fibrous peat and sphagnum. It makes its growths in the winter months, 
and during that time should receive a fair amount of water as well as frequent syringings. Throughout the resting 
season—that is to say, during the latter part of summer and the autumn—water should never be wholly withheld, but 
just enough should be given to keep the plants fresh. The temperature of the Cattleya house suits it admirably, 
Drawn from a plant in the possession of H. J. Buchan, Esq., Wilton House, Southampton, 
