[ io9] 



EPIDENDRUM ATROPURPUREUM wuul 



VAR. RAN D 1 1 l. Lind. & Rod. 



Pseudobulbis ovoideis rugosis diphyllis, foliis lineari-oblongis subobtusis coriaceis, scapis terminalibus racemis multifloris floribus speoosis, b. 

 trian^ulo-ovatis acutis parvis sepalis petalisque obovato-lanceolatis patentibus apicibus incurvis subobtus.s, labello libera tnlobo, lobis latcrahbus 

 oblongis subacutis columnam'amplectantibus apice recurvis, intermedio maximo obcordato, latcralibus reflexis disco calloso^ ecristato ^ columna clavata , 



Epidendrum ATROPURPUREUM, Willd. Sp. PL, IV., p. 1 1 5 ; Rchb. f. in Bonplandia, II., p. 19; Warn. & Will. Orchid Album, IV., t. 149; 

 Man. Orch., VI., pp. 86, 87, cum xyl; 111. Hort, XV., t. 541 ; Pescatorca, t. 27. 

 Cymbidium cordigerum, H. B. et K. Nov. Gen. et Sp., I., p. 341. 

 Epidendrum auropurpureum, Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch., p. 99. 



Epidendrum macrochilum, Hook. Bot. Mag., t. 3534 ; Batem. Orch. Mex. & Guar., t. 17 ; Ann. de Gand, II., p. 365, t 86 ; Fl. des Scrres, 1 

 Paxt. Mag., XI, p. 243, cum ic; Lindl. Fol. Orch., Epidendr, p. 26 ; The Garden, XXXII, p. 370, t. 619 ; Orchidophile, 1889, pp. 76, 77, cum xyl. 

 VAR. Randii, L. Lind. & Rod. in Lindenia, II, p. 5, t. 49 ; Veitch Man. Orch, VI, p. 86. 



Epidendrum atropurpureum was originally described by Willdenow in 1805, being based upon the Helleborine floribus atropurpur- 

 which a figure is given by the latter author. Then it was collected by Humboldt and Bonpland, 

 cordigerum. In 1836 it appeared in cultivation, having flowered in May of that year 



; being overlooked, it was figured and described in the Botanical Magazine as E. macrochilum, under v 

 is a widely diffused species, being found in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Columbia, Peru, and in one or two 

 Mexico, the West Indies and Guiana have also been recorded, but in the absence of specimens may be considered 

 lifferent It is also somewhat variable in size and colour, the Venezuelan form being fi 



but, its ear 



with in gardens. It is a w 

 localities on the Upper An 

 as doubtful, the West Indi 





2us of Plumier, of 

 ne of Cymbidium 



till frequently met 



than the 



others, while forms with white anc 

 to be known to the natives by the 

 Brazil, and is characterised by its 

 brownish green, and the 

 d'Horticulture, of Ghent, 

 since been brought from Itaituba : 

 at various seasons from May 



vith rose-coloured lips occur. In Guatemala, where the variety roseum is found, the flower is said by Mr. G. Ure Skinner 

 ame of " Boca del Dragon," or Dragon's mouth. The variety Randii, which is figured in the annexed plate, is a native of 

 Dmparatively long and narrow leaves and rather smaller, compactly arranged flowers. The sepals and petals are of a deep 

 with a bright rosy-crimson centre. It was originally sent by Mr. E. S. Rand, of Para, to the Compagnie Continentale 

 According to Mr.' Rand, it grows in two localities at Teffe on the Upper Amazon, about 1,500 miles from Para, but it has 

 sar the Tapejos Falls, upwards of 1,000 miles from Teffe. Like the type, it is a very handsome garden plant, and flowers 

 November, the flowers remaining a long time in perfection. R- A. Rolfe. 



biu- 



; analytical Labellum. Columna fronte et 



The taller habit and the more graceful arrangement of its leaves and flowers over the other forms of Epid. atro- 

 purpureum renders this a very distinct plant, and one which all orchid growers, whether lovers of Epidendrums generally 

 or not, would readily take to, both on account of the beauty of its flowers and the profusion with which they are produced. 

 But there are many qualities which render all the varieties of this species well worthy of being cultivated to a much 

 greater extent than they are at present, and notably on account of their free habit, the ease with which they may be 

 flowered, and the extraordinary length of time which their flowers last in perfection. A beautiful and diverse group of 

 this class of Epidendrums may be formed by adding to the varieties of Epid. atropurpureum plants of the charming rose 

 and white E. dichromum and E. nemorale ; the beautiful E. Godseffianum and E. selligerum ; the fragrant and showy 

 E. alatum, and any others of the ovate-bulbed species obtainable. They are best grown in baskets or orchid pans, and 

 the compost which suits them best is good, fibry peat, with a little sphagnum moss. Good, free drainage in the pans or 

 pots is very essential, and the plants will be found to thrive and flower best if they are suspended in the lightest part of 

 the Gattleya house for their regular quarters, and given a few weeks in a sunny and airy house during that part of the 

 summer after their bulbs are fully made up. During active growth scarcely too much water can be given, but after its 

 completion a very little water is required until growth commences again. 



Epidendrum Randii varies much in its variety. Some of the latter are much larger than others, rounder in form, 

 and have more white in the labellum. It will always remain a very rare plant, few only having been found, although 

 most diligent search has been made in the regions of the Upper Amazon, where it grows. 



Our plate was taken from a plant in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, President of the Royal Horticultural Society of England, Burford 

 Lodge, Dorking. 



