434 ORCHIDS 



Pleui'othallis. 



given b}' Robert Brown is from pleiiron, a side, and tJiallo, 

 to blossom ; in allusion to the inflorescence. The species, 

 which are natives of the West Indies and tropical 

 America, are exceedingly variable, and belong to a class 

 of botanically interesting, inconspicuous Orchids. Flowers 

 small, sometimes very small, in a few species mediocre or 

 rather large, often second, in bundle-flowered racemes ; 

 sepals erect, connivent or somewhat spreading ; petals 

 shorter or narrower ; pollinia two ; labellum usually articu- 

 lated at the base of the column. Stems filiform, one- 

 leaved, often sheathed. The species succeed under the 

 conditions recommended for the Chimcvra section of 

 Masdevallia. 



P. ornata {Rclib. f.). — Though but a small-flowered species 

 (less than -l.in. across), this is a pretty one by reason of the 

 margins of the sepals being densely fringed with -white tendrils, 

 that are agitated by the least touch or breath of air. Leaves 

 about lin. long. Colombia, 1S90. (V>. M., t., 7094.) 



P. punctulata {Rolfe). — Quite one of the most distinct 

 and attractive species of the genus. Flowers r|in. across. Sepals 

 and petals light yellow, dotted with purplish-brown ; lateral sepals 

 united into a concave, oblong body, only the points being free ; 

 lip deep maroon, papillose above. Leaves lanceolate, oblong, 

 3in. to 3^in. long, very stiff and leathery. Stems about 2in. high. 

 Colombia, 1885. (Fig. 153.) 



P. Roezlii {Rihb. /.). — An attractive species with deep blood- 

 purple flowers, five or six of which are produced in spring in 

 a one-sided raceme ; sepals i:^in. long, the lateral ones connate 

 with an ovate blade ; lip tongue-shaped. Leaves oblong-lanceo- 

 late, 5in. to Sin. long, grass-green, Colombia, 1S85. 



PLOCOQLOTTIS. 



Blume's name for a small genus of terrestrial stove 

 Orchids, nati\-es of the Malayan Archipelago, and 

 belonging to the tribe Vaiidece. It is deri\-ed from p/okos, 

 a fold, and glotta, a tongue ; in reference to a fold in the 

 lip. Flowers mediocre, shortly pedicellate, racemose ; 

 sepals connate beneath the lip, larger than the petals, 

 which are curved at the apex ; lip connate with the 

 column on either side by indexed, membranous folds, its 

 limb being con\'ex, undi\'ided, patent, at first erect; column 



