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ODONTOGLOSSUM RAMOSISSIMUM inaz 
ODONTOGLOSSUM RAMOSISSIMUM. Foliis longissimis ensiformibus acutis gramineis basi angustatis, panicula maxima ramosa divaricata, bracteis 
obtusis membranaceis ovario paullo brevioribus, sepalis unguiculatis petalisque angustis lanceolatis undulatis, labello sessili cordato basi dilatato undulato 
tomentoso in limbum convexum lanceolatum extenso, crista tomentosa lamellis 2 lateralibus latis antice cirrhatis quinque brevibus a fronte, columna aptera. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM RAMOSISSIMUM, Lindl. Fol. Orch., Odont. (1852), p. 16; Rchb, f. in Bonplandia, II, p. 12; id. in Walp. Ann., VL, p. 840; id. in 
Gard. Chron., 1875, pt. 1, p. 396; id., 1880, pt. 1, p. 298 ; Roezl in Orchidophile, 1883, p. 600; Lindenia, I. p. 39, t. 17; Veitch Man. Orch. Pl, pt. I, p. 63. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM ANGUSTATUM, Lindl. Orch. Linden. (1846), p. 17 (non Bot, Reg. XXIII. (1839), sub t. 1992); Batem. Monogr. Odont, t. 26. 
VAR. LILIFLORUM, Veitch Man, Orch. Pl, pt. 1, p. 63. 
VAR. VIRIDE, Rchb, f. in Gard. Chron., 1880, pt. 1, p. 298. 
VAR. XANTHINUM, Rchb. f, I. c. 
The present species was originally described by Lindley, in 1846, in his “Orchidacee Lindeniane,” under the name O. angustatum ; possibly in the 
belief that it was identical with his earlier species of that name, collected in Peru by Colonel Hall, and described in the “ Botanical Register.” As that work 
is not cited, however (which is contrary to Lindley’s practice), it is possible that Lindley overlooked the fact of his having already applied the name to another 
species. At all events, he rectified the blunder in 1852, in his “ Folia Orchidacea,” calling the present species O. ramosissimum. The species was originally 
collected in the thick forests in the neighbourhood of Merida, at 6,500 feet elevation, by M. Linden, but does not appear to have been introduced to cultiva- 
tion until many years afterwards. Bateman, who also fell into the error of calling it O. angustatum, observes that it does not appear to have reached Europe 
alive before the year 1871, when it was introduced by M. Linden, by whom also flowering specimens were exhibited at South Kensington in the following 
spring, when they were universally admired. According to Reichenbach these plants were sent home by Gustav Wallis. Since that time it has been 
imported on several occasions, but still remains comparatively rare. The typical form, which was collected at Merida, in Venezuela, has white and purple 
flowers, but in the variety xanthinum the white is replaced by yellow, while var. viride is said to have green flowers. The variety liliiflorum, which is said to 
be from New Granada, has pale rose-purple flowers, with some white ocellated spots on the basal half of the sepals and petals. An interesting habitat of this 
species is recorded by Roezl, who states that he met with it near Manizal, on the high mountains of the western Cordillera, situated between the rivers 
Cauca and Magdalena, at an elevation between 12,000 and 13,000 feet, where the temperature at night sinks to a few degrees below the freezing point. Thus 
it appears to be very variable, and also rather widely diffused. The section Isanthium, however, to which it belongs, contains several very closely allied 
species, and a careful revision might lead to some modification of our views respecting them. R. A. Rolfe. 
Tcones analytic. Flos. Columna et labellum fronte et a latere visa. Pollinia. 
We have imported this fine orchid at various times during the last twenty years, and the range of its native haunts 
extends over an enormous distance. Roezl, Wallis, Klaboch, and Lehmann have sent it home to us from Peru and 
Ecuador, where it grows near the town of Loxa. 
There are two distinct varieties or forms of Odontoglossum ramosissimum—one with white sepals and petals, 
spotted with red, and the other with yellow sepals and petals, spotted with red. 
The Peruvian form has white sepals and petals, with red spots, and bears enormously long flower spikes, often 
reaching a length of 6 or 8 feet. 
Again, in the Western Cordilleras, near Medellin, in Columbia, are to be found both the yellow and the white 
forms, the latter being finest, the branching spikes not growing above 3 feet in height. The variety with the yellow 
sepals and petals is not nearly so beautiful as the white form. 
We have also found this orchid in Venezuela, where it abounds in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada of 
Merida ; and, curiously enough, both the white and the yellow forms, and again the white variety is more beautiful. 
It has frequently been sent home to us by our collectors, Arnold, Bartholomzus, and others from the latter 
localities—thus it will be seen that its geographical range is great, indeed; and just as great is the difference in the 
appearance of both bulb, flower, and spike; hence, probably, arises the confusion that exists among botanists with regard 
to this plant. 
It is of easy culture, and should be placed at the warm end of the Odontoglossum house, in a moist and shady 
position. 
Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of Herr Otto Forster, Sheibbs, Austria. 
