426 ORCHIDS 



Phalcenopsis. 



summer months, and remain for some weeks in beauty. This 

 pliant is commonly supposed to cast all its leaves annually, but 

 several specimens have come under our notice that retained 

 their leaves throughout the year. It has been suggested in 

 explanation of this that both deciduous and evergreen forms 

 of the plant exist in a wild state, the variation being due to 

 differences in climatic conditions We have had specimens 

 succeed admirablv when grown on rafts of teak, with sphagnum 

 placed about the roots, and susjjended in a very moist and 

 shaded position in a stove, the moss being kept damp and 

 growing throughout the year. Il is, however, one of the most 

 difficult of all Phalrenopses to cultivate. Moulmein, Borneo, &c., 

 1862 (B. M., t. 5351.) 



P. Luddemanniana (Rchb. /.). — \ compact-growing plant, 

 with thick, oblong leaves 6in. to Sin. in length. On cultivated 

 plants the flower-spike rarely reaches more than Sin. in length, 

 and bears a few handsome flowers towards the apex. The 

 flowers are between 2in. and 3in. wide, the sepals and petals 

 being oblong and pointed, with the ground-colour white, prettily 

 marked with transverse lines of violet-purple towards the base, 

 and of brown towards the points. The middle lobe of the lip is 

 oblong, and of a deep violet colour, the side lobes being narrower 

 and pale purple. On account of its distinctiveness, and the long 

 time its flowers last, this species is well worth growing. It is 

 remarkable for the freedom with which it produces young plants 

 on the old flower-spikes, an exceptional character among Orchids, 

 and one that renders the mcrease of the species easy. Philip- 

 pines, 1864. (B. M., t. 5523.) 



P. Sanderiana {Rclib. f.). — The leaves of this very handsome 

 species are almost elliptical, and in colour nearly resemble those 

 of P. Schillei-ia)ia. They do not, however, grow to such a length, 

 and are usually of about the same size as those of P. amabilis. 

 The flowers are from 3in. to 4in. across. The sepals are broadly 

 ovate and about i-J-in. long, the larger petals being unusually 

 broad and full. The colour of sepals and petals is generally a 

 soft rose, sometimes with a purplish tinge. The lip is three- 

 lobed, with the side lobes almost orbicular, white, spotted 

 at the base with purple ; the middle lobe is white, tinged in 

 certain places on the margin with yellow, and separates at the 

 apex into two long, slender filaments, which curl upwards. This 

 showy Orchid flowers at various seasons, oftenest perhaps in 

 summer. Philippines, 1882. (W. O. A., v., t. 209.) 



P. Schilleriana {Rchb. /).— One of the most desirable of the 

 genus, and in both foliage and flower is an extremely handsome 



