[ '03] 



ZYGOPETALUM ROSTRATUM Hook. 



Rhizomate scandente vaginis distichis scariosis triangulis acuminatis vestito, pseudobulbis ovato-oblongis compressis apice diphyllis basi diphyllis, 

 foliis late lanceolatis acuminatis submembranaceis plicatis nervo medio inferne bene prominulo, pedunculo ex axilla vaginae summae stipantis foliis breviori 

 basi vaginato I — 3 floro, vaginis ternis, bracteis lanceolatis acuminatis ovarium bene excedentibus, floribus speciosis, sepalis petalisque lanceolatis acuminatis 

 paullo undulatis apice reflexis, labello orbiculari-ovato acuminato integro apiculato v. acuminato apice recurvo, callo carnoso semiorbiculari v. lunulato crenu- 

 lato lateribus erectis, columna clavata arcuata alis rotundatis magnis, anthera conica in apicem longum subulatum extensa, clinandrio denticulate 



Zygopetalum ROSTRATUM, Hook. Bot. Mag., t. 2819 ; Warn. & Will. Orchid Album, II., t. 78 ; Lindenia, II., p. 43, t. 68 ; Orchidophile, 1886, p. 

 167, cum xyl.; Journ. of Hort, 1894, I., p. 7, fig. 1. 



ZYGOSEPALUM rostratum, Rchb. f. in De Vriese Kruidk. Archief, 1857 ; Walp. Ann., VI., p. 666 ; Saund. Refug. Bot, II., t. 106. 



This handsome species was originally described as long ago as 1828 from a specimen which flowered in the Liverpool Botanic Garden in October of 

 the previous year. It had been introduced from Demerara by Mr. C. S. Parker. It was the second species of the genus known, and received its name in 

 allusion to the long, beak-like anther. It appears to be a common plant in Guiana, having been collected by various people in different localities. Schom- 

 burgk obtained good specimens in 1837 ; Im Thurn found it in the Pomeroon district, and Jenman at Hooroobea and the Demerara River. According to 

 Reichenbach it was observed near Paramaribo, in Surinam, by Kegel, Focke, Wullschlagel, and Splitzberger ; and also near Para, on the Amazons, by 

 Wallis, though I have seen no specimens. Wilson Saunders includes Panama among the habitats of the plant, but this I think must be a mistake. It has 

 long been cultivated in gardens, though probably not continuously from its original introduction. Reichenbach states that " the plant is a very untractable 

 one, as it appears, and will disappear in a few years from our collections." The late Mr. B. S. Williams, on the contrary, states that it makes a grand plant 

 for exhibition purposes, flowering from nearly every growth, and could always be depended on for the May and June exhibitions at Regent's Park and 

 Chiswick. The truth probably is that, like many other orchids, it will succeed if its wants are looked after, but soon succumbs if improperly treated. 

 Reichenbach separated it as a distinct genus, under the name of Zygosepalum, which he maintained while reducing Bollea, Pescatorea, and others to 

 Zygopetalum, though its chief difference lies in the rostrate anther. It is certainly a very interesting orchid, and if well grown a very attractive one. 



R. A. Rolfe. 



Icones analytical. Labellum a fronte et columna a fronte et a latere visa. Polli 



It is with this beautiful orchid as it is with most others which are sometimes given the character of being difficult to 

 grow. Some growers have so little trouble in growing and flowering it successfully that they are astonished at the 

 difficulties experienced by those who say that they have repeatedly failed to get it to thrive. This state of things exists 

 with many orchids, and proves conclusively that it is nothing in the plants themselves which bars success, but the want 

 of the cultivator understanding them, or not having proper accommodation. With evergreen terrestrial orchids, and 

 with those such as Zygopetalum rostratum, Phaius tuberculosus, &c, which, growing on the trunks and under sides of 

 the larger branches of trees, and often in close proximity to water, are to be classed more with the terrestrial orchids, 

 such as the Calanthes of the C. veratrifolia section, than with true epiphytes occupying drier and more airy situations. 

 Complaints of the kind are most frequent, and, generally speaking, the causes of failure in each case are the same, viz., 

 subjecting the plants to too much sunlight ; to the air in the house in which they are placed being too dry ; and to a too 

 widely varying range of temperature. 



Zygopetalum rostratum should be grown in a warm, moist house, and be kept watered all the year round, but 

 most liberally when making its young growths. Generally speaking, where those plants of the Zygopetalum tribe known 

 as Bolleas and Pescatoreas grow well, there will Z. rostratum thrive also ; or a good guide to a situation where it will 

 probably grow satisfactorily is where Miltonia Roezlii or Oncidium Krameri keep in good condition. 



Our plate was figured from a plant in the possession of G. Shoreland Ball, Esq., Earlscliffe, Bowden, which has 

 been grown close to the door in a Cypripedium house— a position which seems in this case to have eminently suited its 

 requirements, for, as an example of good culture and robust health, it is beyond all praise. 



