442 ORCHIDS 



RESTREPIA. 



About twenty species of Restrepia {H. B. K.) are known, 

 all being natives of tropical America ; they belong to the 

 tribe Epidendrea;. The name is given in honour of Joseph 

 E. Restrep, a naturalist who travelled in South America. 

 The majority are inconspicuous plants, and are not usually 

 considered worthy of cultivation ; but those here described 

 are exceptions — indeed, they may be classed among the 

 gems of the smaller cool-growing Orchids. Their curious 

 structure gives them also an additional charm. The slender 

 stems are produced in tufts, and each carries a single leaf 

 The flowers in all the species are borne on one-flowered 

 scapes at the top of the stem, which continues to blossom 

 for several years. The plants are found on mossy trees, at 

 considerable elevations on the Andes. The genus is allied 

 to M asdevallia. 



Culture. — The cultivation of Restrepias is very simple, 

 no Orchids adapting themselves to artificial treatment more 

 readily. They should be placed in the cool-house, under 

 conditions similar to those recommended for the cooler 

 Masdevallias. They succeed well when planted in baskets, 

 in a compost of peat and sphagnum, and should be 

 suspended from the roof Water is required in smaller 

 quantities in winter, but no attempt at resting should be 

 made. 



R. antennifera {Li/idL). — A synonym of R. inaculata. 



R. elegans {Karst.). — In everything e.xcept size this resembles 

 R. macidata. Its stems are only 2in. to sin. high, clothed 

 with pale green scales, and bearing an apical, solitary oval leaf 

 lin. to 2in. long, leathery in texture, dark green on the upper 

 surface, and paler beneath. The flowers are borne on slender, 

 filiform stalks about 2in. in length. The dorsal sepal is lance- 

 shaped, white, streaked with purple, the upper part being drawn 

 out into a yellow tail, with a club-shaped tip ; the petals are 

 similar, but only half the size ; the two lateral sepals are joined 

 so as to form an oblong, concave blade, which is yellow, marked 

 with numerous purple dots. The whole flower measures from 

 ii^in. to 2in. vertically. A'enezuela, 1850. It flowers in January 

 and February. (B. M., t. 5966.) 



R. maculata {Lindl.). — This lovely little plant has slender 

 stems 4in. to 6in. high, each surmounted by a single heart- 

 shaped leathery leaf 2in. to 4in. long. The flower-scapes — 



