ORCHIDS 



Dendrobium. 



It is now extensively used for decorative purposes, and is a 

 most desirable plant to cultivate away from large towns. 

 A native of New Guinea, &c. ; introduced in iSSo. (Fig. 69; 

 B. M., t. 6817). 



There are several named varieties of this, all from importations 

 of plants from New Guinea, and distributed under the name of 

 Z). Phalxnopsis, var. Schrivdc)-iana?n. These vary in colour from 

 pure white to deep rosy-purple. 



D. Pierardi {RoxIk). — An old, easily-grown, spring- 

 flowering species, with long, pendulous stems, that often attain 



to 3ft. and more in 

 length. The leaves are 

 ovate or lance-shaped, 

 3in. to 5in. long, de- 

 ciduous, and the upper 

 two-thirds of the long 

 stem is laden with long- 

 lasting flowers, in which 

 the sepals and petals 

 are pale mauve, tinged 

 with rose, the broad, 

 flat labellum being 

 primrose-colour, with a 

 few purple lines near 

 the base, the upper 

 surface downy. It is a 

 common Indian species, 

 growing chiefly upon 

 mango-trees, and was 

 introduced to the Cal- 

 cutta Botanic Garden 

 by M. Pierard, whose 

 name it bears. With 

 us it thrives when 

 planted in a basket or 

 on a block, and grown along with £>. iwbile. It has been in 

 cultivation since 1815. (B. M., t. 25S4.) 



D. primulinum {LindL).—\ charming, easily-grown, and free- 

 flowering species. The pseudo-bulbs are about ift. long, drooping, 

 as thick as the little finger, grey-green. Leaves lance-s'haped, 4in. 

 long, deciduous. Flowers in pairs from the joints of the last- 

 ripened growths, each 2in. or more across ; sepals and petals 

 narrow and equal, pale mauve; lip 2in. across, covered with 

 soft hair as if frosted, coloured pale primrose-yellow, with a tinge 



Fig. 



Flower of Dkndrobid.m 

 i'l'lchellu.m 



{% nat. size). 



