490 ORCHIDS 



TRICHOPILFA. 



Of the dozen or so of species found in this genus, of 

 the tribe I'aiidecr, about half are known in gardens. 

 Lindle)' is responsible for the name — from tlirix, trichos, a 

 hair, and pilioii, a cap, the anther being concealed below 

 a cap surmounted b}' a tuft of liair. Trichopilias are 

 related to the Oncidiums and the Brassias, but are 

 distinguished by their two pollen-masses at the end of a 

 long, wedge-shaped caudiclc, their large, conx'olute lip, and 

 the remarkable hood of the column, which is di\'ided into 

 three unequal lobes. The pseudo-bulbs are crowded, 

 usuall)' much flattened, some of them being scarcely 

 thicker than the leaves ; as a rule the}' are smooth and 

 dark green in colour. The leaves are large and leather}', 

 solitary on the apices of the pseudo-bulbs, and they 

 remain on the plant about four }'ears. The large, 

 conspicuous flowers arc abundantl}' jsroduced on short 

 stout basal peduncles, rarel}' more than three flowers 

 being borne on each. All the species blossom freely ^\•hen 

 in good health. The flowers last well both when left on 

 the plant and when cut and placed in water. The species 

 inhabit the country from Mexico to Colombia and the 

 West Indies. The genus as now understood includes 

 Hclcia, and is s}'nonymous with Piliimiia. 



Culture. — The species here described ma}' all be grown 

 in a warm greenhouse, or along with the general collection 

 of Cattleyas. They keep alive and flower now and again 

 when treated as cool-house plants, but they ne\-er grow 

 and make a good displa}' of bloom unless they get a 

 fair quantity of heat in summer. They like light too, and 

 should therefore be shaded onl}' from the brightest summer 

 sunshine. They should be grown in pots or baskets, in a 

 mixture of peat and sphagnum, and as the}- require plenty 

 of water when growing, the drainage should be ample and 

 perfect. A position close to the roof-glass is the best for 

 them. The most favourable time for re-potting Trichopilias 

 is after the flowers are over and new growth has 

 commenced. During winter, the soil about the roots 

 should be kept moist, but not saturated. If any species 

 may be said to thrive under cool-house treatment, it is 

 T. fraarans. The plants are all easy to procure from the 

 nurseryman, being abundant where they are wild, easy to 



