CIRRHOPETALUM ORNATISSIMUM. 
[Prate 369.] 
Native Country ? 
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovoid, tetragonous, an inch or more high, arising from 
a creeping caudex, and rooting from beneath the pseudobulb, sheathed with two large 
membranaceous scales, monophyllous. Leaf solitary, springing from the apex of the 
pseudobulb, broadly oblong-ohtuse, tapering at the base into a short petiole, upwards 
of four inches long, and two inches broad, thick and leathery in texture, and deep 
green. Scape solitary, slender, erect, longer than the leaves, and arising ps the 
base of the pseudobulb, bearing two large sheathing scales at the base, an arge, 
central, boat-shaped membraneous bract. Flowers terminal, arranged in a semi- rien 
of from four to eight, the ground colour is pale yellow, more or less streaked and 
flushed with rosy-purple; sepals unequal, dorsal erect, oblong ovate, the inside 
curled inwards, the upper edge fringed with long black hairs : lateral sepals broadly 
lanceolate, lengthened into long tail-like points, projecting forward, and having a 
peculiar twist “at the base, which causes the two outer edges to meet together, 
these are soft yellow, streaked on the veins with purple ; petals smaller than the 
dorsal sepal, somewhat falcate and pointed, the tips ornamented with a tuft of long 
black hairs; lip small, oblong, reflexed, and clawed, of a uniform deep purple. 
Column stout, with wing-like projections at the side. 
CIRRHOPETALUM ORNATISsIMUM, Reichenbach fil., Gardeners’ Chronicle, N.8., 1882, 
XVill., p. 424. 
The genus of which we here produce the portrait of a pretty form, is a some- 
what extensive one, and includes many handsome species, the curious flowers of 
all being very remarkable. They are widely distributed, being found in China, 
India, various islands of the Malay Archipelago, as well as in the Mauritius, 
Madagascar, etc., etc. The majority of them are interesting, and some possess showy 
flowers; but all are deserving cultivation for the exceedingly curious formation 
of their flowers — portions of these, when mounted, forming beautiful subjects 
under the microscope. The various species which are to be found under cultiva- 
tion are, however, mostly only in such collections as that of the Royal Botanic 
Gardens at Kew, and other similar establishments, where such curious plants are 
highly valued, and in a few of the larger collections of orchidaceous plants 
scattered throughout the country; but we strongly urge the amateur to cultivate 
some of these interesting plants, as they do not require great space for their 
accommodation, whilst they afford an endless field for study and thought to those 
who admire the curious as well as the beautiful productions of nature. The species 
we here so vividly bring to the notice of our readers is well deserving the attention 
K 
