KOELLEXSTEINIA — LAELIA. 425 



KOELLENSTEINIA, Eeichenhach jil. 



(Tribe, Vandeae, mbtribe Cyrtopodieae. ) 

 A small genus of Vandaceous Orchids belonging to the group Gyrto- 

 podieae, included by Bentham in the genus Aganisia. They are small- 

 flowered Tropical American plants, of little interest to growers of the 

 choicer kinds of Orchids. 



Culture. — The same as that recommended for Aganisia. 



K. lONOPTERA, Linden et Rchb.f. — A rather nice plant, with leafy stems, 

 cuneate-oblong leaves, and a basal peduncle more than a foot long, bearing at the 

 top a raceme of flowers ; these flowers, not very much larger than those of the Lily 

 of the Valley, are white, with violet tips and streaks on the sepals, violet petals 

 and numerous transverse violet-purple bars on the hp. — Pent. 



LAELIA, Lindley. 



(Tribe Epidendreae, subtribe Laelieae.) 



This is a very lovely genus of epiphytal Orchids, most of the species 

 being compact in their growth, with evergreen leathery or fleshy leaves, 

 resembling in some respects those of the genus Cattleya, to which many 

 of them are equal'in the beauty of their flowers, which are large, distinct 

 in colour, and very handsome, produced on spikes of varied length from 

 the top of their one or two-leaved pseudobulbs. They are nearly allied 

 to Cattleya, and, in fact, cross readily with the species of that genus. 

 The genus is, however, retained by Bentham and Hooker, who dis- 

 tinguish it by the presence of eight pollinia in two series, the series 

 being slightly unequal, while in Cattleya there are only four pollen 

 masses forming a single series. Reichenbach includes the whole group 

 in Bletia along with the Cattleyas. These plants merit a place in every 

 collection, and will amply repay the cultivator for any care they may 

 require ; indeed, Laelia comprises species which are among our finest 

 Orchids whether for winter or summer blooming. 



Culture. — Some of the species are best grown on blocks of wood with 

 moss ; others thrive well in baskets and pots with peat and good drainage. 

 The large-growing kinds are best grown in pots, and require the same 

 treatment as Gattle^/as. Those on blocks require more water, and are 

 best grown in the Cattleya house, though some, such as L. autumnalis, 

 L. alhida, and L. majalis, do not require so much heat to grow them to 

 perfection. They are propagated in the same way as Cattleya. 



