ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM (ALEXANDRA) 
PLUMATUM. 
[Phare 414.] 
Native of the United States of Colombia. 
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs ovate, compressed, bearing several sheathing leaves from 
the base of the pseudobulbs; these, however, are not persistent, but usually die 
away annually. The persistent leaves are developed from the apex of the pseudo- 
bulbs, mostly in pairs; they are oblong-lanceolate in shape, acute, and rich deep 
green in colour. Scape radical, erect, bearing a raceme of many flowers, which are 
upwards of three inches across, spreading and very showy. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, 
acute, with plain edges, white, suffused with soft rose, and freely dotted and 
spotted with rich bright cinnamon; petals ovate, much broader than the sepals, 
dentate and undulate on the edges, so much so, as to produce quite a plumose 
effect, same colour as the sepals, but with fewer spots; lip oblong, truncately 
rounded at the point and cuspidate, having the margin much toothed and fringed, 
white, tinged with rose, and dotted with cinnamon. Crest vellow, rayed, the column 
bearing on either side, the toothed wings so conspicuous in the typical plant. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM (ALEXANDRA) PLUMATUM, supra. 
This is an exceedingly beautiful variety of a very popular plant, and it is 
quite astonishing to see the numerous distinct and pretty forms which may be 
obtained from an unflowered batch of this species, particularly if the plants have 
been collected in any well-known district. There would appear, however, to be some 
doubts as to the possibilities of getting this species in any great quantities at the 
present time, for collectors tell us that the localities which a few years ago 
abounded with Odontoglossum crispum (Alexandre), at the present moment are so 
exhausted, that the species cannot be collected there profitably. If such is the result 
of reckless importations, our growers should be more sedulous in keeping and preserving 
the plant when it is brought home, and thus prevent many hundreds of plants 
being needlessly wrenched from the trees in their native forests, and the country 
exhausted of its treasures. The variety here figured flowered with us in the Victoria 
and Paradise Nurseries, in the month of June in the present year. It was specially 
noted by many visitors, and became quite a marked feature in the Odontoglossum 
house, and we trust to again flower it in greater profusion another season. = 
Odontoglossum crispum (Alexandre) plumatum, as its name implies, is a 
plant which when in flower has markings on its petals of quite a feathery character. 
It produces fine spikes of flowers, which are very effective, and it lasts many 
