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DENDROBIUM PHALAENOPSIS Aitegerau. 
Pseudobulbis elongatis subcylindraceis sulcatis vaginis appressis pallidis tectis ; foliis distichis lanceolatis acuminatis 4—6 pollices longis ; racemis 
axillaribus longe pedunculatis suberectis multifloris ; bracteis parvis acutis ; floribus speciosis ; sepalis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis pallidis nervis reticulatis 5 
petalis sepalis multo majoribus patentibus rhombeo-rotundatis acutis basi contractis roseis venosis ; labello sanguineo-purpurco ; lobis lateralibus rotundatis 
incurvis, intermedio lingueformi-oblongo acuto basin versus 5—7-carinato carinis rugulosis, calcare recto obtuso basi inferne in sacculum subhemisphcericum 
dilatato ; columna brevi ima basi bicallosa. : ; 
DENDROBIUM PHAL&NopsIS, Fitzgerald in Gard. Chron., 1880, pt. 2, p. 38; id. Austral. Orch,, vol. 1, pt. 7, t. 5 Bot. Mag., t. 6817 ; Warn. & Will. 
Orchid Album, IV., t. 187 ; Gard. Chron., 1886, pt. 2, p. 556, fig. 110; Veitch Man. Orch. Pl, pt. 3, p. 68, cum xyl.; Rolfe in Lindenia, VL, p. 83, t. 280. 
VAR. STATTERIANUM, Sander Reichenbachia, ser. 2, vol. 1, p. 15, t. 7. ; iat 
The superb orchid which is the subject of the present plate was originally described by Mr, Fitzgerald, in the pages of the Gardeners Chronicle, in 
1880, whence we learn that it was obtained near Cooktown, in Queensland, and flowered in the collection of Captain Bloomfield, of Balmain, in April of that 
year, The author remarks: “I have given this finest of the Australian Dendrobes the name Phalznopsis, from the likeness of its flowers to moths, and also 
their likeness to those of the genus Phalznopsis.” A fine figure was afterwards given by the same author in his superbly illustrated Australian Orchids. 
Its introduction to European gardens appears to be due to Mr. H. O, Forbes, who, aided by grants from the British Association, was enabled to spend the 
months of July, August, and September, 1882, in exploring the Timor laut or Tenimber Islands. They form a small Archipelago, situated to the north of 
Australia, about half way between the island of Timor and the Aru Islands, whose natural history was previously almost unknown. In his Report Mr. Forbes 
remarked, “On the coral rocks by the seashore several species of orchids grow, of which I have obtained living specimens. On trees at Cape Watoe Sianga, in 
Larat, where it faces the wind entering from the southern sea, I found a handsome and, I imagine, a new species of orchid ; but I have been able only to see 
half shriveled flowers.” A living specimen was transmitted to Kew, where it flowered in September, 1884, and proved to be identical with Fitzgerald’s species. 
A figure was prepared from this plant, and published in the Botanical Magazine. For some years all the plants in cultivation were offshoots from this original 
plant, when Messrs. F. Sander & Co., of St. Albans, secured, through one of their collectors, a batch of plants from a small island off New Guinea, which on 
account of their smaller and darker flowers was described as variety Statterianum. Last autumn the same firm obtained a magnificent batch of plants from 
New Guinea, which were distributed as variety Schroederianum. These on flowering have exhibited a remarkable range of colour, from delicate blush up to 
the deepest crimson-purple, with some prettily variegated varieties in addition. Thus we have evidence that the species grows in three or four different 
localities, which, however, are not a very great distance apart. It may also be added that in 1882 dried specimens were also transmitted to Kew by Mr. Riedel 
from Timor laut. The species is most nearly allied to D, bigibbum, Lindl, but is altogether finer, with a very different crest and other distinguishing charac- 
ters, The present plate, prepared from Baron Schréder’s collection, represents a piece of the original Kew plant. R.A, Rolfe. 
I 2 3 
Icones analytice. (1). Dendrobium Phalanopsis. (2.) D. Phalenopsis var. Statterianum. (3.) D. bigibbum. 
Labellum ; id. expansum. Columna fronte et a latere visa. Calcar a latere visum. 
Tuis is one of the most ornamental of the evergreen section of this extensive and magnificent genus, of easy and free 
growth, compared to the species and varieties of this great family inhabiting North Australia and New Guinea. The 
pseudo-bulbs are clothed near the apex with about a dozen broadly-lanceolate leaves. The flowers are borne on terminal, 
simple, or branching racemes, from ten to thirty in number, 2¥% to 4¥% inches across, brilliantly coloured. They last a 
long time in perfection, and are well adapted for personal ornament, as also for all kinds of table and room decoration. 
To grow this magnificent species to perfection, much heat and light is necessary. A pine stove suits it admirably ; 
it will also grow freely in a temperature suited to Crotons and Ixoras, It is indispensable for the production of an 
abundance of flowers that the pseudo-bulbs should be well ripened—hence light, heat, and air are the great and important 
factors in its cultivation. It is best grown in baskets or pans—in peat and sphagnum moss—and suspended in the 
highest and hottest part of the stovehouse during its season of growth. When this is completed, the plant should be 
rested in a lower temperature, but never allowed to shrivel through dryness. 
In its native home, girt by the sea, and eternally washed by its spray, the plants attain a great size and bear a 
prodigious number of flowers—often as many as six spikes on a single stem. They are never really dry for long. 
This would be impossible, owing to the heavy night dews; but their principal growing time is when the rainy 
season sets in. It rains more or less every day for three months, the temperature all the time being very high. At 
the end of this time Dendrobium Phalenopsis has made growths between 3 and 4 feet in length, and as thick as a 
man’s thumb ! 
The variety “ Schroederianum,” which we introduced last year, is of remarkable and great beauty ; it varies from 
