ODONTOGLOSSUM POLYXANTHUM 
GRANDIFLORUM. 
[Pate 258.] 
Native of Ecuador. 
Epiphytal. Psewdobulbs ovate acuminate, ancipitous, bearing a pair of leaves fronr 
their apex, and several accessory ones from their base. Leaves ensiform, taperin 
to an acute point at the apex, narrowed to the base, slightly keeled behind, a foot 
long, the accessory ones somewhat sheathing the base of the pseudobulbs, deep green. 
Scapes lateral, drooping, many-flowered, two feet or more in length. Flowers showy, 
measuring about four inches across, yellow heavily spotted with bright chestnut- 
brown ; sepals lanceolate acuminate, entire, ‘spreading, somewhat recurved at the tip, 
deep ochre yellow, marked with a few large blotches of irregular form, and of a deep 
rich brown colour, the upper one, which is some distance from the apex, being the 
largest, and the others extending to the base; petals about the same size and 
form, of the same rich deep yellow with brown markings, but the blotches on 
these are smaller and confined to the basal third of the surface; lip stalked, the 
stalk appressed to the column fully half-way up, roundish oblong, concave, cordate 
at the bale toothed at the margin, cuspidate at the apex, almost wholly covered 
with a blotch of glossy chocolate-brown, with a very narrow border of white, and 
taarked with a scolloped spot of light yellow towards the disk, which bears a 
prominent crest of two oblong dentate lobes running out to a point in front, and 
is yellow with a few red-brown strie on the broader portion. Column clavate, 
with a yellow wing below the thickened pale brown apex. 
ODONTOGLOSsSUM POLYXANTHUM GRANDIFLORUM, Wiliams MS. 
This splendid epiphyte was discovered in Ecuador at an elevation of 8,000 feet 
by Mr. Ed. Klaboch in 1878. It appears to be very rare in its native habitat, 
and is without question one of the finest species of the Odontoglossum family. 
Although the type itself is very beautiful, yet the inflorescence of this variety is 
more showy, the flowers being larger as well as richer and brighter in colour. 
When well cultivated the fine spikes of blossoms which are borne by O. polyxanthum 
_ continue in good condition for a length of time, and as its colours are such as to 
Show up well, it is admired by all who sce it; unfortunately, it is still a rare 
‘ Species in cultivation, only a few plants having been imported. There Is & con- 
‘iderable difference to be met with in the flowers of the different varieties. That 
a h we have before us, one of the finest which has appeared, is from the noble 
collection of W. Lee, Esq., Downside, Leatherhead, where we saw it flowering in 
Sreat perfection last year, when our drawing was taken. 
