534 ORCHIDS 



British and other Hardy Orchids. 



a less distinctly-lobed labelluni. (Fig. 182, for which we are 

 indebted to the Editor of "The Garden.") 



O. laxiflora (Lam.). — This is a European species which does 

 not occur in the British Islands, except in Jersey and Guernsey. 

 Its leaves are unspotted, its stems are from ift. to 3ft. high, 

 and its flowers lin. across, bright red-purple, the lip being 

 spotted with a darker colour. It blooms in May or June, and 

 is easily kept if planted in a moist situation in a loamy soil. 



O. maculata (Z.). — An easily-managed British species, often 

 met with in gardens. It has narrow, spotted leaves, and an 

 erect spike ift. or so high, bearing a compact pyramid of pale 

 purple or white and spotted flowers, which are at their best 

 in June or July. It thrives in a moist, loamy soil, in a slightly 

 shaded position. It is one of the commonest of field Orchids, 

 and may be easily transferred to the garden. 



O. pyramidalis (L.). — One of the prettiest when seen in 

 the mass, its compact spikes of bright rosy flowers being very 

 effective. It is common in Britain in pastures, flowering in 

 midsummer. It is easy to cultivate if planted in an open 

 loamy soil with a little chalk added. The tubers should be 

 planted about 3in. apart, and in the mass to produce a fine 

 effect. 



O. spectabilis (Z.). — A showy species from North America, 

 with oblong, green leaves, and stems about ift. high, bearing 

 pink-purple flowers, with an ovate, undivided lip. It grows in a 

 mixture of peat and leaf-mould, in a moist, shaded position, 

 flowering in May, 



Other pretty species are: O. longibracteata (Biz:), O. Mun- 

 byana (Hoiss.), O. papilionacea (Z.), O. purpurea (Huds.), 

 and O. sambucina (Z.). 



SERAPIAS. 



There are four species of Scrapias, natives of the countries 

 bordering the Mediterranean, where they occur in pine 

 woods, &c. They^ are like Orchis in habit, but the flowers 

 differ in having the three upper sepals united and forming 

 a hood, out of which the labellum hangs, tongue-like, and 

 is the most conspicuous part of the flower. The petals 

 are small, and are enclosed in the hood formed by the 

 sepals. Two of the species merit a place in the garden, 

 their flowers being large and attractive. 



