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CYPRIPEDIUM (HYBRIDUM) LEEANUM Rchb./. 

 VAR. GIGANTEUM Roi/e. 



A hybrid raised from Cypripedium Spicerianum, Rchb. f., crossed with the pollen of a large form of C. insigne, Wall. The flowers are very large, the 

 dorsal sepal measuring over 2}( inches in diameter, and the petals over 2#j inches in length, and nearly an inch broad at the apex. It differs from C. 

 Leeanum superbum in having the purple spots of the dorsal sepal confined to the median line, and the spots of the petals not extending quite so far towards 

 the apex. It is an unusually large and handsome variety. 



Cypripedium (hybridum) Leeanum, Rchb. f, var. GIGANTEUM, Rolfe in Gard. Chron., 1890, pt. II., p. 718. 



Cypripedium (hybridum) Leeanum, the first of the C. Spicerianum crosses, was raised by Mr. Seden in the establishment of Messrs. James Veitch & 

 Sons, and flowered for the first time in January, 1884, when it was awarded a First-class Certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society. C. insigne Maulei 

 was the seed parent, the pollen being derived from C. Spicerianum. This is the original form described by Reichenbach. Some time afterwards a smaller 

 and less brightly coloured form flowered in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., of which the typical C. insigne was the seed parent, and to this the 

 name of C. Leeanum was transferred, while the original C. Leeanum was changed to C. Leeanum superbum, Since then these two species have been crossed 

 together in several other establishments, and several slightly different varieties have been raised. The one here figured is certainly an exceptional one, and the 

 finest yet raised. In this case C. Spicerianum was the seed parent, and the pollen was derived from a very large form of C. insigne, but which variety has not 

 been recorded. It is a very large and handsome variety. R - 



Our analytical drawings represent the labellum and column, the latter both seen from the top and side. 



The Darwinian theory, "the survival of the fittest," is fairly exemplified in this grand and striking example of successful 

 hybridisation here figured. The original hybrid Cypripedium, bearing the name Leeanum, in honour of Mr. W. Lee, of 

 Leatherhead, once one of our foremost and most enthusiastic Orchid growers, was regarded as a gem of the first water ; 

 and on its appearance before educated and critical eyes on January 8, 1884, it was unanimously awarded a First-class 

 Certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society. 



On the appearance in 1885 of its larger and brighter-coloured congener, superbum, raised by Messrs. Veitch, it 

 may be said to have been put in the background, the improvement discovered in this variety being traceable to the 

 influence of the fine form of insigne punctatum violaceum employed in place of the probably more ordinary type of 

 insigne — the seed parent in the original seedling. Cypripedium Leeanum superbum also successfully underwent the 

 ordeal of criticism ; a plant was shown before the Orchid Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society by Baron 

 J. H. W. Schroder on January 11, 1887, which gained a first-class certificate. 



This variety in its turn has to succumb to the superior charms of the magnificent subject of our illustration, and 

 which worthily bears the title "giganteum." The dorsal sepal is of purer white than any other form. While not 

 differing to any appreciable extent in its colouring, it far surpasses any of its predecessors in its majestic and symmetrical 

 proportions. 



An interesting feature in this case is that the parentage is reversed, C. Spicerianum being the seed parent, while 

 the pollen was obtained from a particularly large and fine form of C. insigne punctatum violaceum. There are two 

 varieties of Cypripedium Leeanum giganteum, and we regard our variety as the finer of the two ; indeed, we consider 

 it the very best of all the hybrid Cypripediums yet raised, taking into consideration its freedom of growth, time of 

 flowering (early winter), and lasting qualities. 



Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of Monsieur le Comte de Germiny, Chateau de Gouville, par Cailly (Seine Inferieure), France. 



