ODONTOGLOSSUM LUTEO-PURPUREUM 



SCEPTRUM. 



[Plate 294.] 



J^atlve of J^eAu Grenada 



Epij)hytaL Pseudohulhs ovate-acuminate, compressed, becoming slightly wrinkled 

 with age, deep green. Leaves lanceolate-acuminate, narrow, and channelled at the 

 base. Raeeme robust, horizontal, many-flowered, bracts ovate-acute and membraneous, 

 individual flowers nearly three inches across, somewhat smaller than those, of the 

 typical plant, but the segments are broader, and the whole flower is of a more 

 regular outline ; sepals oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, undulate on the edges, chestnut- 

 brown, bordered with golden yellow, and bearing a few streaks and spots of the 

 same colour scattered irregularly over the surface ; petals much broader than the 

 sepals, and, like them, apiculate^ the edges fimbriated and toothed about the middle, 

 golden yellow, spotted with chestnut-brown near the base, and blotched with the 

 same colour in the upper part ; lip somewhat ovate-cordate, retrorse and apiculate 

 at the apex, much fringed and denticulate on the edge, rich yellow, bearing a large 

 somewhat reniform blotch of chestnut-brown in front of the calli, which consists of 

 a number of teeth-like processes, projecting forward, the two front ones being much 

 the longer, and diverging. Column yellow, helmet-shaped, with a tooth-like 

 projection on each side near the apex. 



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Odontoglossum luteo-purpukeum scepteum, Reichenhach Jil. ; Illustration Horticole, 

 3 series, t. 73 ; Id, Xenia Orchidacea, ii., p. 194 ; Gardeners' Chronicle, n. s., 

 xvii., p. 525 ; Williams, Orchid-Grower's Manual, 6 ed., p. 448. 



The researclies by plant collectors amongst the mountain regions of South 

 America and Mexico have largely increased our knowledge of Orchids. More 

 especially is this the case with the genus Odontoglossum, Numbers of species, 

 varieties, and hybrids are continually coming to hand; and so popular has this 

 family become with plant-growers, that however numerous the new forms, they 

 appear welcome to all. Odontoglossums are extremely useful plants, their fine spikes 

 of bloom being of very long duration. The 0. luteo-pur pureum section is totally 

 distinct in colour from those of 0. Alexandra (crispwn) and other white forms, which 

 renders it very desirable for contrast, an object which should be studied by all 

 desirous of producing a pretty picture by judiciously arranging their plants. This 

 variety, as may be seen by our plate, is well worthy of a place in every collection. 

 Of course, there are many shades of colour in this, as in almost every other 

 Orchid, some being much brighter and superior to others, which is brought about 

 by the hybridisation continually going on amongst these plants in a state of nature. 



