112 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JuLy-AuGUsT, 19 20. 
\@| ORCHIS LATIFOLIO-MACULATA. \& 
HE present figure represents a splendid clump of the natural hybrid 
C Orchis latifolio-maculata, now: flowering on the rock-work of the 
R.H.S. Gardens at Wisley, and for the loan of the block we have to thank 
the Editor of the Garden. It has been grown as Orchis latifolia, and as 
such was figured in the issue of that Journal for May 2gth last, but a visit to 
Wisley on June 5th, and the opportunity of comparing a specimen with 
the Kew plant, leaves no doubt as to its identity with the Kilmarnock 
Orchis, sometimes known as O. maculata superba, of which a very 
complete history has already been given (O.R., xxvi. pp. 177-179). One 
may form an idea of what the clump is like when we say that only half 
of it is here shown, that there are forty spikes, and that the flowers are 
bright rose-purple in colour, with a tracery of darker purple lines on the 
lip. The leaves are finely spotted with black, a character which has not 
come out well in the figure. As to the decorative value of the plant, we 
may repeat the remarks of the late Miss F. Hope: ‘‘ The average length 
of spike ina bed of seventy-two was seven inches,.some with over nine 
inches of inflorescence. A bed of this is faultless; no staking is required. 
From the first peeping through the ground the extra dark markings of the 
Kilmarnock Orchis make the -~ an attractive one for weeks before the 
flowers make their appearance.” 
Returning to the Wisley plant, we noted a still larger clump a few feet 
away, bat: these were more scattered, and interspersed with about one- -third 
Orchis maculata, while there were three little clusters with wholly green 
leaves, though entirely typical as regards the flowers, and apparently 
seedling reversions. This clump appeared'to be made. up largely of 
seedlings, and in any case we have Mr. Wright's authority : for saying that 
it is seeding all over the place. We saw many of them, some at considerable 
distances away, and bearing apparently their first spike. Later on they 
increase, becoming little clumps, a$ in the case of the green-leaved 
reversions just mentioned. We believe that the stock was originally 
introduced ; at all events we could not find an example of the green-leaved 
O. latifolia with spotted lip which is so common in Hampshire and at West 
Drayten. It may be: added that on the Kew rock-work O. - latifolio- 
maculata seeds about in just the same way, and many of them are now in 
bloom, differing considerably in depth ‘of colour. 
This is the British hybrid formerly called Orchis Braunii, a Gantientel 
plant recorded as from the same parentage, though its identity requires 
confirmation (see O.R. xxvii. p. 169), partly because the Continental O. 
