ODOURS OF ORCHIDS 65 
CHAPTER XVIII 
ODOURS OF ORCHIDS 
Many Orchids have fragrant flowers, while in some sections 
the fragrance is emitted by the whole plant. A large 
number of Burmese and Indian, highland Orchids, such as 
Dendrobium moschatum, the section of deciduous Bulbo- 
phyllums which includes B. auricomum, B. hirtum, B. 
comosum, and B, suavissimum, have leaves that on becom- 
ing dry after falling give off a strong odour of newly-mown 
hay, the plants also in all their parts being similarly scented 
when dry, even the cases containing them being pleasantly 
scented by the plants. 
The odours of Orchid flowers may generally be likened 
to well-known perfumes. Trichopilia suavis, Miltonia 
Roezlii, and others are scented like the Rose; Odonto- 
glossum odoratum and some other Odontoglossums, Mawil- 
laria picta and other Maxillarias, like the Hawthorn. 
Certain Maxillarias of the M. luteo-alba section are scented 
like Honeysuckle, and odour similar to the Tuberose is 
given off by many Angrecums. Some have a much 
stronger odour at night than in the day, a peculiarity 
which is: found in Epidendrum nocturnum, E. ciliare, and 
many species. Vanilla is a common scent in Orchids, 
being present in some Vandas. The odour of Violets is 
furnished by Dendrobium heterocarpum and others of its 
class, and the Primrose, Wallflower, and other common 
garden plants have their exact imitators in the matter of 
E 
