56 



ORCHIDS 



Ancectochilus. 



wide, rather fleshy, and coloured \"ery dark velvety green, with 

 reticulating lines of pale green and yellow, and a central area 

 of bands of pale gold. This species is a native of Ceylon, where 

 it grows in moist woods in shad)' places, along with A. rt\^'c7/is. 

 Syn. A. Frederiti-Aiigiisfi. (Fig. i6.) 



ANSELLIA. 



A small genus of tropical African Orchids of the tribe 

 Vandece. It was established b\- Lindley. Tlie pseudo- 

 bulbs are stout and woody when old ; the)- \-ar}' in length 

 from I ft. to 4ft., and they bear about a dozen leaves near 

 the apex. The flowers are borne in large, branching 

 panicles, usually from the apex, but sometimes from the 

 sides of the pseudo-bulbs. Each flower is about 2in. across : 

 the sepals and petals are equal and spreading, and the lip 

 is three-lobed. The colour is some shade of \-ellow, with 

 blotches of brown. The genus is named after Mr. John 

 Ansell, who disco\-ered A. africana in P^ernando Po 

 growing on a palm-tree. 



Cult7ire. — These jjlants require sto\-e treatment all the 

 )'ear round. The\- should be planted in pots or pans half- 

 full of drainage, using as compost 

 peat fibre and sphagnum. Whilst 

 growing they require plenty of 

 water both at the root and o\-er- 

 head ; and the}- should have as 

 sunn)- a position as is possible in 

 the sto\e. \Mien growth is finished, 

 less water should be given. The 

 time to re-pot is just as new- 

 growth commences. As these 

 plants root freely, they should be 

 allowed plent)- of pot room. 



A. africana (Z/«<//.).— Pseudo-bulbs 

 4ft. high ; leaves ift. long, with pro- 

 minent ribs ; panicles large, branching ; 

 flowers pale yellow, spotted with brown. Strong plants produce 

 as many as fifty or more flowers in a panicle, and these remain 

 six weeks in perfection. They are developed in winter. Native 

 of Sierra Leone. (Kig. 17.) 



A. a. nilotica [Baker). — A synonym of A. nilotica. 



Fig. 17. Flower of 

 Ansellia african.\ 



{I nat. si/c). 



