35 
os 
PL.) DLXVIIL, 
ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM unos. var. LUCIAN uorr. 
Mr. LUCIEN LINDEN’S VARIETY OF O. CRISPUM. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM. Vide Lindenia, en peakry 
Odontoglossum crispum, Vide Lindenia, Dis10r. 
Var, Luciani Horv., Gard. Chron., XXI (1897), pp. 210, 268. 
<2| dontoglossum crisbum var. Luciani was exhibited in London on March 23, 
and excited the admiration of well known connoisseurs at the meeting 
“4 of the Royal Horticultural Society. It was the only Orchid on the 
occasion referred to which received a First Class Certificate — an award which 
the London Committee scarcely ever gives to an old, well known, and variable 
species unless it be a variety of exceptional merit indeed. 
In addition Messrs. Lucren Linpen & Co. who exhibited this marvellous 
plant, also received the Banksian medal for the group of Odontoglossums 
of which it formed a part, and of which each plant was worthy of a detailed 
description. 
In the report of this meeting in the Gardeners’ Chronicle the following 
appreciative remarks occur: “ The gem of the group was O. crispum Luciani 
“which secured the only First Class Certificate awarded. The flower was perfect 
“in shape, white tinged with rose and blotched with several large purple brown 
“ blotches on each segment — a truly grand flower. , 
We have little to add to this favourable criticism of an eminent connoisseur 
beyond commenting upon the accompanying plate from which the reader may 
judge for himself as to the perfect beauty of the flowers. The segments are 
very large, especially the splendid petals which have centiculate edges, and are 
heavily marked with large bright reddish-brown blotches which form a striking 
contrast to the white ground. The lip is also covered with a large number of 
blotches more dense towards the apex but reduced to dots at each side c the 
crest. One might almost say that this marvellous Odontoglossum is ne twin of 
O. crispum augustum but we are inclined to prefer it ug that variety owing to its 
excellent form which is that of the best Pacho variety. For several reasons 
however we would rather leave the decision in the hands of our readers. 
Is it not astonishing that such a popular species as Odontoglossing crispum, 
which was introduced in 1842, and has been collected each year since in hundreds 
of thousands, should still have such surprises in store for amateurs ? 
Quite recently a very prominent orchidist with whom we were talking about 
Us 
