[57] 



ZYGOPETALUM CRINITUM um. 



catis basi attenuates, scapis erectis multifloris, floribus 

 emarginato basi longe angustato venis villosis, callo 



1862, p. 



Pseudobulbis ovoideis v. ovoideo-oblongis, foliis lanceolatis \ 

 speciosis, bracteis lanceolatis, sepalis petalisque lanceolato-oblongis 1 

 magno ovato-oblongo emarginato sulcato-striato, columna clavata. 



Zygopetalum crinitum, Lodd. Bot. Cab., XVII., t. 1687; Lindl. Bot. Reg., XXX., 

 1889, p. 145, cum ic; Puydt Orch., p. 339, t. 50; The Garden, XLII., p. 140, t. 870; Journ. L 

 IX., t. 410 (var. cceruleum). 



Zygopetalum Mackayi var. crinitum, Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch., p. 187 ; Hook. Bot. Mag., 



Zygopetalum stenochilum, Lodd. Bot. Cab, XX, t. 1923 ; Lindl. Bot. Reg, XXX, Misc., 



Zygopetalum pubescens, Hoffmannsegg in Bot. Zeit, I, p. 835. 



Zygopetalum intermedium, Lindenia, V, p. 51, t. 316 (non Lodd.) 



Zygopetalum crinitum was originally introduced from Brazil by Mr. Frederick Warre, in 1828, in which year he communicated living specimens to 

 Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, among a variety of other Orchids which he had brought home. Soon afterwards Lindley referred it as a variety of Z. 

 Mackayi, in which he has since been followed by some authors, while others consider it as a distinct species. It may, however, be readily distinguished by 

 its broader leaves, longer flowers, the lip distinctly narrowed at the base, and the veins distinctly shaggy. This comparison is with the typical original Z. 

 Mackayi, the original form figured at 2,748 of the Botanical Magazine, though a larger-flowered plant, with broad leaves and a broad smooth-veined lip, is 

 often cultivated under this name. This is the Eulophia Mackaiana, Lindl, otherwise Zygopetalum intermedium, Lodd. The fact is, these three plants have 

 more than once been confused together, as the Z. Mackayi var. crinitum of Hartinger's Paradisus is Z. intermedium. Z. stenochilum, Lodd, on the other 

 hand, is only an abnormal state of Z. crinitum, as is evident from Mr. Bateman's remarks. Speaking of this plant he observes : " I carried off a piece of this 

 Zygopetalum ; it was the identical piece that bore the flower-spike from which Mr. Loddiges' drawing was made, but though it bloomed freely in my stove, 

 its flowers were invariably those of a common form of Z. crinitum ; that is, they discarded the narrow lip that constituted the (supposed) specific distinction 

 of Z. stenochilum. No doubt it was a casual freak not suspected at the time." We may add that it was sent by Mr. Warre at the same time as Z. crinitum. 

 Z. pubescens is also synonymous. The range of the species is very imperfectly known, though it is a native of the Organ Mountains, where Gardner collected 

 it in February, 1837. He observes that it is for the most part a terrestrial species, growing on exposed rocky places, though it is also occasionally found on 

 the stems of trees. It is a very handsome form, the sepals and petals light green, blotched with brown, and the lip white, with radiating hairy veins which 

 vary from violet-blue to pink. It is also valuable on account of its fragrant flowers, which generally appear during the autumn and winter months. It is also 

 very easily grown, and will succeed well in an ordinary stove. R. A. Rolfe. 



Icones analytical Labellum expansum. Columna fronte ct a laten 



From a cultivator's point of view, this species is quite distinct from all the numerous forms of Z. Mackayi or Z. inter- 

 medium, being of a much dwarfer stature, while its foliage is more plicate and of a much fresher green colour. The flowers, 

 again, are usually much larger than those of Z. Mackayi proper, and they emit a different perfume and the radiating 

 purple lines on the much-expanded lip are far more copiously velvet-piled or hairy than in the last-named species. It may 

 interest many of our readers to know that Z. Mackayi (a name that really ought to have been written Z. Mackayanum) was 

 originally introduced to the old College Botanical Gardens, at Dublin, and the original plant, or one of its lineal vegeta- 

 tive descendants, is still grown there and highly prized, its inflorescence being far in advance of any other variety. All 

 the Zygopetalums of this group are of comparatively easy culture, growing best in pots of well-drained compost, composed 

 of peat fibre and clean rough loam, to which may be added a medium of fresh sphagnum moss, the whole resting upon 

 good drainage as a matter of course. 



Z. crinitum grows well in an intermediate temperature in a half shady position, the cooler end of the Cattleya 

 house being a good place for it when growing. All the Zygopetalums are a little impatient of watering overhead or 

 syringing, but enjoy a copious root supply of moisture while their young growths are being made. There are several 

 hybrids in the genus, Z. x Clayi being the result of a cross between our present species and Z. maxillare, while Z. x 

 Sedeni is the consequence of a union between Z. maxillare and Z. Mackayi. 



All the Zygopetala are very handsome and showy, and even when not in flower their bold evergreen, Aspidistra- 

 like foliage gives to them as well grown an ornamental appearance amongst the stiffer-leaved Cattleyas and Lamias. 



Zygopetalum and Phajus belong to the so-called old-fashioned orchids, and in many an ancient home they have 

 flourished in the stove houses for fifty years past, giving pleasure and enjoyment to employer and employed. 



Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of E. M. Mundy, Esq, Shipley Hall, near Derby. 



