ACROPr.rsA. 77 



ACROPERA, Lindley. 

 (Tribe Vandeae, nuhtribe Cyrtopodieii-.) 

 A genus of epiphytal plants bearing long loose racemes of large and 

 curiously-shaped flowers. They are so nearly related to Gongora as to 

 be included in that genus by some of our highest authorities on Orchids, 

 the chief differences consisting in the broader sepals, of which the dorsal 

 is galeate ; in the often biaristate tips of the petals, and in the articulated 

 oscillating lip. The species are few in number, and are confined to 

 Central America and Mexico. 



ChtUure. — These plants are nearly related to Gongora, and, like those 

 of that genus, comprise species that are both pretty and curious. The 

 flowers of those here described are large, and produced in great profusion ; 

 they do not thrive under cool treatment, which suits some other species, 

 but they thrive best in the Cuttleya house, grciwn in baskets, with 

 sphagnum moss and fibrous turfy peat. 



A. ARMENIACA, Lindley. — A free growing and somewhat slender plant, 

 attaining about a foot in height, with sonaewhat oval pseudobulbs, producing 

 from their apex a pair of lanceolate light green leaves, and from the base u 

 slender drooping lax raceme a foot or more in length, bearing from twelve to 

 twenty rich apricot-colovired flowers on a greenish purple rachis ; blooms freelj 

 through the summer months, and is a very desirable plant for a basket. — 

 Central America : Nicaragua. 



Fia.—JJot. JIaff., t. 5501 ; Pajf. Fl. Garcl., i. 04, fig. 6fl. Batcman's 2itd Crnfiiry, 



t. ik;. 



Sxx. — Acropera cornvta ; Gonjora armcnlaca. 



A. AURANTIACA, Lindley. — A beautiful evergreen species, of neat compact 

 haljit, one of the most distinct of its family as regards the colour of its flowers, 

 which last for a long time in beauty ; it grows about a foot high, producing 

 erect scapes with nodding spikes of bright vermilion-orange flowers, which are 

 somewhat distantly disposed, and are peculiar for their closed form ; it bloom.s 

 in auttimn and the early spring, and is of a very durable character. — New 

 Grenada. 



Fig.— Bot. Mdff., t. 5135 ; III. Hurt., 3 sor., t. 1G7. 



A. CORNUTA — Sec Ackopera abmexiaca. 



A. LODDIGESII, Lindley. — An old and not very showy species, but an 

 interesting one, as its flowers are very curious in their formation both in the 

 bud state and when fully developed; the pseudobulbs are ovate and clustered, 

 and from their base the drooping racemes of flowers are freely produced, the 

 long ovary curving inwards so as to bring the flowers near to the rachis ; they ' 

 are of a pale tawny yellow, with the lip brownish-red, and give out a powerful 



