CYPEIPEDIUM CONOOLOE 



[Plate 302.] 



Native of Mouhnein. 



Terrestrial. Acaulescent. Leaves distichous, lying nearly flat, oblong-obtuse, 

 channelled, from four to six indies in length, ground colour on the upper side, deep 

 green, beautifully tesselated with very pale green; on the under side the colour is 

 an uniform reddish purple. Peduncle {scape) somewhat short, reddish purple, clothed 

 with short black hairs, and furnished just below the ovary with a large acuminate 

 hairy bract. Flowers usually in pairs, two inches or more in diameter, soft prim- 

 rose-yellow, speckled and dotted with crimson-purple ; dorsal sepal ovate or sub-rotund ; 

 lateral sepals connate, ovate ; petals deflexed, oblong obtuse, and, as well as the 

 sepals, fringed at the edges with fine black hairs ; Up saccate, somewhat short and 

 conical, unguiculate, creamy yellow, freckled with crimson-purple dots. Staminode sub- 

 cordate, tapering to a small stiff point, yellow speckled with minute crimson-purple dots. 



Cypripedium concolor. Parish, MSS.; Bateman, in Botanical Magazine, t. 5513; 



Id. Second Centum of Orchidaceous Plants, t. 153 : LPllustration He 



t. 444; Flore des Serres, t, 2321; Gardeners' Chronicle, 1865, p. 626, with figure 

 Id., N.s. xix., p. 19, fig. 3; Florist and Pomologist, 1870, p, 149, with fi 

 Williams, Orchid-Groiver's Manual, 6 ed., p. 242, with figure. 



v^ 



This well-known Cypripedium belongs to the dwarf section of the genus, and 



a few years ago was almost the only representative of its class in our collections. 

 But during the last few years many others have been introduced to this country 

 by the numerous collectors who are employed to search specially for orchidaceous 

 plants. Amongst the beautiful species of this particular section is the richly 

 spotted C GodefroycBy which ha^ already been figured in the Orchid Album, at plate 

 171. Previous to this introduction, however, C. niveum, which is also a charming 

 species, was introduced to our gardens, and subsequently C. concolor Regnieri and 

 others. We have some hybrids, crosses with C. concolor , C. nivemn, and other 

 species, which have brought about some beautiful forms ; but all the hybrids obtained 

 from this section appear to be slow growers. There is much work being done in 

 this way, and it will continue, as Cypripediums are easily crossed, and when raised 

 from seed they are not long in attaining a flowering state, which will well repay 

 the hybridiser if care is bestowed in selection, so as to produce distinct and handsome 

 forms. Our artist took his drawing of C. concolor from a very prettily-grown 

 plant in the collection of G. Bowles, Esq., 4, Hall Eoad, St. John's Wood, kindly 

 communicated to us by Mr. Yass, the gardener. 



Cypripedium concolor is distinct and beautiful in foliage as well as in flower; it 

 belongs to the stemless section, of which our readers can form a good idea from the 



