The name of this beautiful plant is derived from a combination of the names of its 
two parents. The plant here figured is evergreen and of robust habit, with fine large 
leaves from six to nine inches in length, and about two to two and a-half inches 
in breadth, very thick in texture; the upper surface is of a deep green ground 
colour, beautifully tessellated with a yellowish green shade. Even when not in bloom 
it is a very ornamental plant. The spike proceeds from the centre of the leaves, 
and stands erect, bearing a single flower of fine form, good substance, and richly 
coloured. The dorsal sepal is bold, erect, and flat, very broad, and of the purest 
white round the margin, greenish at the base, with numerous veins of deep vinous 
purple which extend almost to the edge and run through the whole centre 
which is heavily suffused with rich rosy crimson. The petals are broadly oblong, 
no doubt receiving the rounded shaped ends from the pollen parent, Cypripedium 
bellatulum, slightly deflexed, greenish at the base, changing into rich rosy crimson, 
and becoming much deeper towards the tips, which are heavily spotted with 
blackish purple in radiating lines; in some cases these appear in large 
wart-like spots with smaller ones between, and in other plants the petals are 
densely dotted all over. The lip, which is large and formed into a pouch, has much 
the shape of C. Lawrenceanuwm, but the lateral horn-like appendages are much less 
prominent; it is a lovely rich crimson-purple in front, whilst the underside is 
yellowish green, and inside it is greenish yellow with small blackish purple spots. 
The whole flower forms a very pretty contrast to all other varieties of this very 
popular genus, and combines good qualities from both its parents. 
Cypripedium Lawrebel will succeed best if potted in good brown peat fibre 
and living sphagnum moss, or if some cultivators prefer it, a good mixture of 
turfy loam and fibrous peat, to which some sphagnum moss should be added to 
keep the soil more porous, and to allow the roots to push through more easily. 
The pots, however, should be well drained, as stagnation at the roots is very 
detrimental to the well-doing of this genus. A temperature similar to that 
maintained in the Cattleya house will be found to suit it admirably, and during 
the growing season a liberal supply of water is necessary. It must never, however, 
be allowed to become dry even in the dull. winter months, although great care 
must be exercised in watering. The atmosphere should always be kept in a 
humid condition, to guard against the attack of thrips, which if allowed to become 
established will greatly disfigure and injure the plants. The flowers of this plant 
last for a considerable time in full beauty. 
