AERIDES FIELDINGII. 



[Plate 309.] 



JSTative of JSCorthern India. 



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An erect-growing epiphytal plant, producing from the base of its stem numerous 

 long, stout, and fleshy white roots. Leaves distichous, broadly lorate, sheath ii ^ 

 the base, obliquely two-lobed at the apex, and channelled ; they are thick "and 

 leathery in texture, from eight inches to a foot long, and from an inch and a 

 half to two inches across, rich dark green in colour; in some varieties the 

 sheathing bases of the leaves are of a deep brownish black. The raceme is 

 axillary, very dense, from two to three feet long; in some forms of the plant it 

 is simple, . in others it is more or less branched. Floivers large ; sepals and petals 

 nearly equal, spreading, oblong-obtuse, white, flushed and mottled with briglit rose ; 

 lip flat, ovate-acuminate, rich rose colour. Column erect, in profile resembling the 

 head of a young pigeon. 



Aerides Fieldingii, Lindley, Ubi (?) La Belgiqiie Horticole, 1876, tt. 18-19; Jennings* 

 Orchids, t. 20 ; Williams, Orchid-Growers' Manual, 6 ed., p. 101 ; Lindenia iii., t. 97. 



We have no hesitation in saying that Aerides Fieldingii is one of the grandest 

 species of this now numerous and magnificent genus. It is a most distinct plant, 

 both in flower and foliage ; and is not difiicult to grow into fine specimens, as 

 lateral growths are oftentimes produced from near the base of the stem, which 

 eventually grow up and add to the display of blooms. The spike in some 

 varieties is simple, as here represented, but in others it is more or less branched, 

 two feet or more long, and the racemes are many-flowered. 



This species is popularly known as "The Fox-brush Aerides," and from its long, 

 sjTnmetrical, and dense racemes of bloom, the name is very applicable. 



Aerides Fieldingii was introduced to our collections about the year 1855^ 

 and for a long time was exceedingly scarce, but in the year 1870 we ourselves 

 imported a large quantity of this plant from Upper Assam. These plants arrived in 

 excellent condition, and proved to be a superb form, so that from that time the 

 species has been more plentiful. During the last thbty years many wonderful 

 specimens of this plant have from time to time been exhibited at the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society's shows ; at the exhibitions of the Eoyal Botanic Society in 

 the Regent's Park; and also at those of the Royal Botanic Society of Manchester, 

 and when well bloomed there is no Aerides to surpass, and few to equal it, for its 

 stately habit and the beauty of its inflorescence. The plant from which our 

 drawing was taken was one of many w^hich flowered with us in the Victoria and 

 Paradise Nurseries, during the past season. 



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