DISA GRAMINIFOLIA. 
[PLaTEe 399.] 
Native of the Cape of Good Hope. 
Terrestrial. Herbaceous, tuberous-rooted. Leaves cylindrical and slender, like 
a thread, few and deep green, these do not appear until after the flowers are 
ast. Scape erect, with numerous acute, sheathing bracts, few flowered, but 
these are of a rich and bright azure-blue. Helmet acute, erect, and shortly spurred 
behind; Jateral sepals oblong, obtuse; petals smaller than the sepals; lip oblong, 
obtuse, toothed at the apex, having several alternate narrow stripes of white, and 
reddish violet on the disc. Column short, tipped with reddish violet. 
Disa Graminirotta, Banks, eta of the Iinnean Society, xix. t. 34. Springel, 
Systema Vegetabilium, i., p. 
The Disa we here bring to the notice of our readers is a most distinct and 
lovely species, the colour of which is rare, and seldom to be seen in flowers of 
the Orchid family, we should very much like to see the same colours amongst 
Cattleyas and Lelias, and other allied genera. Disa is a genus of terrestrial plants 
which appears to be peculiar to South Africa and Abyssinia, but perhaps as the 
interior of the country is opened up, many more new and beautiful species may be 
found in the. interior. Mr. J. O’Brien is at present the largest importer of these 
and many other curious Orchids from these regions, and we hope he may be 
successful in obtaining many more new and beautiful things. There appears to 
be more difficulty in importing Disas than is thought for, because if they are not 
removed from the ground just at the right time the bulbs will not survive; and 
this remark applies in a special manner to the species we here figure, the under- 
ground tuber being very small. We mentioned this plant, at our plate 356, volume 
viii, in describing Disa racemosa, which is also a charming and distinct species. This 
flowered in the collection at Kew, and we have since observed it flowering in various 
other gardens. We are indebted to the kindness of F. G. Tautz, Esq., for the 
opportunity of figuring this delicate beauty. The plant flowered in his garden in the 
month of October, under the care of Mr. Cowley, who has charge of these well- 
grown Orchids, and was much admired by all who had the good fortune to see it. 
Disa graminifolia is a lovely species, and its thin grass-like foliage, from which : 
its specific name is derived, renders it very distinct; but these are not - developed 
with the flowers. The blossoms are of a charming azure-blue, with purpl | 
tip; they are arranged in racemes, and continue in bloom for a considerable time. 
» on the 
This is a somewhat difficult plant to establish, and even when it becomes é a > 
