TRICHOPILIA TORTILIS. 
[PLate 349.] . 
Native of Mexico. 
Epiphytal. Psewdobulbs clustered, surrounded with curiously spotted sheaths, 
narrowly oblong, compressed, about four inches long, and monophyllous. Leaves oblong 
acute, coriaceous in texture, and light green. The peduncles emerge from the base 
of the pseudobulbs, and bear a single, large and handsome flower. Sepals and 
petals nearly equal, spreading, linear-lanceolate, some two inches long, and spirally 
twisted, undulated, yellowish green on the edges, the centre dull purplish brown; 
lip broad and spreading, the base curiously rolled round the column, white, 
regularly spotted with deep rose-colour, and blotched in the throat with yellow. 
Column terete, clavate. 
TricHopitia torTILIs, Lindley, Botanical Register, xxii, t. 1863; Maund's 
Botanist, iti, t. 122; Knowles and Westcott’s Floral Cabinet, iii., t. 101 ; Botanical 
Magazine, t. 3739; Gower and Britain’s Orchids for Amateurs, p. 48; Williams, 
Orchid-Growers’ Manual, 6 ed., p. 594. 
This is not a very extensive genus, but it is most remarkable for the peculiar 
formation of its flowers, and these are produced in a somewhat different manner 
to those of most other Orchids. The genus includes some species and varieties 
possessing great beauty, which, when well grown and flowered, produce an astonishing 
effect. Some wonderful examples of the species of this genus have from time 
to time come under our notice, the most notable being a specimen of Trichopilia 
crispa, which some few years ago was frequently exhibited by Mr. Charles Penny, 
now of Sandringham, but at that time holding the position of gardener to 
H. H. Gibbs, Esq., of Regent’s Park; but the very finest example of 7. crispa which 
has ever come before our notice was a single specimen bearing a hundred and twenty 
flowers, grown by R. Warner, Esq., of Chelmsford, and which was sent by him, 
with numerous other Orchids, to the First International Horticultural Exhibition 
held in Russia, at St. Petersburgh, in May, 1869. This specimen was greatly and 
deservedly admired by all who saw it both at home and abroad. Other fine 
Trichopilias are 7. suavis, and its pure white-flowered variety, alba; T. lepida also 
is a lovely species when well grown, but a glance at our plate of L. “tortitts 
will also illustrate what a fine old species this is, which, although it has — 
been in cultivation for upwards of fifty years, is well deserving a place in the 
most recherché collection, for seen—as we have seen this species—with — * 
Seventy blossoms, it forms a splendid bouquet of floral beauty to which neither 
pen nor brush can render justice. Our drawing was taken from a plant growing in 
the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries. 
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