SACCOLABIUM CCELESTE Ria 
Foliis distichis recurvis lineari-oblongis bilobis vy, tricuspidatis, racemis erectis densifloris, sepalis tepalisque elliptico-oblongis obtusiusculis, labelli 
auriculis sub columna angulatis minutissimis, lamina cum columna ascendenti subparallela unguiculata antice rhombeo-obtusangula, calcare compresso obtuso 
obtuso curvulo, aristis geminis inclusis ab apice inferiore antrorsis. 
SACCOLABIUM CELESTE, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron., 1885, pt. 1; p. 692 ; Warn. & Will, Orchid Album, VIIL, t. 361. 
RHYNCHOSTYLIS C 1s, Rchb. f. in Gard. Chron, 1885, pt. 1, p. 692 (in note). oe 
This charming and very distinct little plant belongs to the section Rhynchostylis, characterised by its shortly beaked rostellum, and which is some- 
times considered as a distinct genus, though the lip and spur are identical with those of Saccolabium. It is a native of Siam, and was collected and sent 
home by Robbelin, who states that he found it growing upon isolated trees in the rice fields of that country. It appears that the ground had been cleared for 
cultivation by burning, and the plants were found growing upon the charred stumps which had survived the fires. It appears to have flowered for the first 
time in Europe in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart. M.P., at Burford Lodge, Dorking, in 1885, whence specimens were sent to Prof, Reichenbach 
for description. It flowers during July and August, and remains fresh for two or three weeks. if the atmosphere is not kept too damp. It was awarded a 
First-class Certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society in July, 1888. From its allies it is readily distinguished by its erect racemes, and its unusual 
colours, blue being a very rare colour among orchids. The dense racemes attain a height of over six inches in strong specimens ; the sepals and petals are 
white, tipped with light blue, and the lip bright azure blue, or, as Reichenbach described it, of the finest Italian sky-blue. In this latter character there is 
some amount of variation, some varieties being light azure blue, while others are much darker, It is one of the best of recent introductions in this interesting 
genus, R.A. Rolfe. 
Icones analyticae. Flos. Columna et labellum, fronte et a latere (sectio) visa. Anthera et pollinia. 
Tuts lovely Siamese species first flowered in 1885 in the Burford Lodge collection, and was described by the late Prof. 
H. G. Reichenbach in the Gardeners’ Chronicle for May 30, page 692. It is quite distinct from the majority of Sacco- 
labiums in bearing upright flower spikes. The largest number of species in this handsome genus carry pendulous, long 
racemes, of densely-packed blossoms, varying in colour from white, rose, purple, violet, and orange-crimson, but no kinds 
with which we are acquainted bear such charming sapphire and azure-blue tipped blossoms as S. cceleste, with just 
enough white in the sepals and petals to make the flowers perfectly exquisite. In a large batch of plants there is an 
almost infinite variety in size, form, and colouring—sometimes the white colour preponderating, at other times the blue. 
It is, however, always a gem, and never fails to command admiration ; we should be glad to see this magnificent genus 
more generally cultivated. What could better repay the amateur for his outlay and care than a selection of a dozen 
Saccolabiums such as the following: S. ampullaceum, S. bellinum, S. Blumei, S. cceleste, S. curvifolium, S. giganteum, 
S. guttatum, S. Harrisonianum, S. Hendersonianum, S. miniatum, S. premorsum, S. retusum? Our collector describes 
the subject of the plate as growing upon trees in Siam in hot, moist districts, where the land is often under water for a 
considerable time in the rainy season, when the temperature is very high. The plants grow with marvellous rapidity, 
emitting from among the leaves new roots in abundance, which grow with great vigour and freedom, apparently absorb- 
ing the fertilising air to great advantage. After a time the rain suddenly ceases, and then sets in a scorching, dry 
heat, often attended by forest fires, in which epiphytic plants suffer first and most severely. These fires often extend 
for long distances, and destroy multitudes of noble trees and lovely plants, which a few short hours previously were 
laden with handsome foliage and beautiful blossoms. 
Saccolabium coeleste must be grown in a stove temperature of about 65 deg. to 70 deg. F. in winter, and 70 deg. 
to 75 deg. F. in summer, and even more heat is desirable when the plants are in active growth. The plants should be 
placed in clean potsherds and sphagnum moss—in baskets or pans—and suspended near the glass. 
Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of Baron J. H. W. Schréder, The Dell, Staines. 
