LISSOCHILUS KREBSII PURPURATUS. 
[PLaTe 259.] 
Natwe of South Africa. 
‘Terrestrial. Pseudobulbs ovato-conical, about three inches high, jointed, marked 
by the annulate scars of the investing bracts, and producing thick fibrous roots, 
Leaves several from each bulb, lanceolate acuminate, plicate, of herbaceous texture, a 
foot or rather more in length, and about two inches across, spreading, of a bright green 
colour. Scape radical, erect, upwards of three feet in height, and supporting an open 
raceme of about twenty blossoms, which are furnished with ovate acuminate appressed 
brown bracts at the base of their pedicels. Flowers showy, about two inches in 
diameter ; sepals oblong, apiculate, revolute at the margin, spreading, green striped 
with purple on the outer side, of a more decided maroon-purple within ; petals 
obovate, directed forwards, of a bright yellow on the outer surface, paler or creamy 
yellow on the inner side, and there marked with a few red veins at the base; 
lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes large, erect, roundish ovate, chocolate-purple streaked 
with darker lines within, the front lobe bent upwards at the base, bright yellow, 
convex or gibbous, each side being folded downwards, the short spur tipped with 
pink. Column short, creamy yellow. ) 
Lissocuitus Kressi purpuratus, N. EF. Brown in Gardeners’ Chronicle, ».s., 
xxiv., 102 (purpurata); Walliams, Orchid-Grower’s Manual, 6 ed., 636. 
This is a very rare and beautiful variety of a South African species, 
with which we are not familiar in gardens. The specimen we here describe 
is the only blooming example that has come under our notice, and it is well 
worth a place in every collection, on account of its being so distinct from the generality 
of Orchids. There are about thirty known species of this genus, all found in Tropical 
or Southern Africa. We have included three in the new edition of the Orchid- Grower's 
Manual, namely, L. Horsfallii, L. roseus, and JL. speciosus, which are described on 
pp. 374-5. These are all beautiful plants, but seldom seen, probably in consequence 
of their being deciduous, so that when at rest they get lost sight of, and are not 
attended to at the proper time; this is to be regretted, as they are well worth 
notice, being so entirely distinct in character. There are other showy species besides 
those named above that have not yet been introduced. 
We strongly recommend that there should be a house set aside for the eulti- 
vation of the deciduous group of Orchids, of which there are other genera besides 
that now before us. They would, no doubt, obtain many admirers if they 
were well grown, as it frequently happens that we see growers of Orchidaceous 
plants quite amazed when they meet with examples of these lovely species in bloom. 
