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ODONTOGLOSSUM (HYBRIDUM) EXCELLENS ees. ¢ 
This superb Odontoglossum is a natural hybrid between O. Pescatorei and O. triumphans, between which it is fairly intermediate in character. The 
habit of growth strongly resembles that of the first-named parent, while the flowers approach more nearly those of O, triumphans. The sepals are bright 
yellow, paler towards their centres, and bear a number of large chestnut-brown blotches, which sometimes coalesce in two or three irregular transverse 
clusters, The petals are similar, but usually with only one cluster of spots, situated on their upper halves. The lip is white with several chestnut blotches on 
the blade, which usually unite into one large, irregular blotch in front of the crest, which itself is deep yellow, with a few chestnut markings. The column 
wings are intermediate in shape and nearly entire. 5 
ODONTOGLOSSUM EXCELLENS, Rchb. f, in Gard. Chron., Oct. 1, 1881, p. 426; id, Aug. 22, 1885, pp. 239, 241, fig. 51; The Garden, XXI. 
(1882), p. 216, t. 330. 
O. EXCELLENS var, EUGENES, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., Apr. 28, 1888, p. 522 (in note). O. eugenes, Veitch, Man. Orch. PI. pt. 1, p. 73. 
O. EXCELLENS var. CHRYSOMELANUM, Rchb. f, in Gard. Chron., Apr. 28, 1888, p. 522. < 
O. EXCELLENS var. MACULATUM, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron. Apr. 28, 1888, p. 522 (in note). O. Va he var. I Rchb. f. in Gard. 
Chron., Nov. 8, 1884, p. 584. 
Odontoglossum excellens originally appeared in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., at Burford Lodge, Dorking, in 1881, from an 
importation made by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., of Clapton. It is said to have been regarded as a yellow Pescatorei by the collector. Prof. Reichenbach, in 
describing it, thought it might be a natural hybrid between Odontoglossum Pescatorei and O. tripudians. Its hybrid origin is almost beyond doubt, and it 
is equally certain that Odontoglossum triumphans and not O. tripudians is the other parent, for it has far more of the character of the first named; and occurs 
on the same trees in company with this species and O. Pescatorei. Since its original introduction many other individuals have appeared, and as in most 
other hybrids, a certain amount of variability has been observed. In 1883 O. eugenes appeared, in an importation made by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, 
but there can be no doubt it is but a variety of O. excellens with the spots more distinct. In the following year O. Vuylstekeanum variety maculatum was 
described, though afterwards its author transferred it as a variety of O. excellens. In 1888 the variety chrysomelanum appeared, without any white in the 
ground colour of the flower, and said to be spotted all over. The variety “Albert Edward” (here illustrated) is one of the most brilliant varieties known. 
Other varieties besides these here quoted exist to which no special names have been applied ; indeed, almost every individual seems to differ somewhat in the 
depth of the ground colour, the amount of spotting, and to some extent also in the shape and breadth of the organs, according to whether the characters of 
O. Pescatorei or O. triumphans preponderate. Perhaps the two species have been reciprocally crossed. Under these circumstances it seems advisable to 
exercise considerable caution in multiplying varietal names. One individual recently sent to Kew for determination had the segments much like 
O. Pescatorei in shape, bright yellow in colour and with very few spots. All the forms are extremely lovely. R.A, Rolfe. 
Icones analytice. Flos. Columna fronte visa. Anthera et pollinarium. 
Turs is one of the brightest and most beautiful of the many supposed natural hybrid Odontoglossums that have yet 
flowered—intermediate between O. Pescatorei and O. triumphans. The late Professor H. G. Reichenbach regarded 
it as an offspring of O. Pescatorei and O. tripudians in his description of the first plant of O. excellens that flowered 
in Europe, and now in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. ; had, however, the very learned Professor seen 
several forms at the time he made his description he would probably have substituted O. triumphans for O. tripudians. 
It is a fact well known to importers that all three species exist in sufficient quantities, and are located near enough in 
a wild state to allow of their being freely cross-fertilised by insects; it is also quite within the limits of possibility 
that at no very distant date the many seedling forms from plants that have been naturally hybridised will be very 
puzzling to the student from their merging into each other in an almost imperceptible manner ;—no two supposed 
natural hybrids as yet bloomed are alike. In addition to the original variety, Sir Trevor Lawrence owns O. excellens 
var. chrysomelanum, which is without a white disc on the upper sepal and on the petals, while the lip and the column 
are also yellow. A very notable and grand variety is in The Dell collection at Staines, which Baron Schréder, 
appreciative of its rarity and value, secured from its owner at a big figure, the plant being sold by us originally as an 
imported Odontoglossum Pescatorei for the sum of two shillings and sixpence. In the collection of his Grace the Duke 
of Sutherland, at Trentham, is a variety named “eugenes,” with chestnut-brown markings and a yellow margin to the 
petals—a truly splendid form; others have also flowered with some of our transatlantic amateurs—the finest variety 
known in the United States of America being O. excellens var. Albert Edward, in the collection of F. L. Ames, Esq., 
Langwater, North Easton, Mass., and this truly grand form is the subject of our plate. We cordially endorse the 
hope expressed by our most eminent authorities that in time the results of artificial hybridisation at home will assist 
the amateur and the professional orchid grower in determining the parentage of many of the natural hybrids which at 
present is only a matter of conjecture. 
