85 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GAEDEXING. 



but more recently a much finer and more gigantic 

 form has been brought from Madagascar. 



iEpidendrum. — The name comes from cpi, 

 "upon," and dmdron, "a tree,'' the natural habitat 

 of the various species in a state of nature. The 

 genus is thus defined by Lindl : — " Sepals patent, 

 nearly equal ; petals equalling the sepals, or nar- 

 rower, rarely wider, patent, or reflexed ; lip connate, 

 wholly or in part, with the margins of the column, 

 the limb entii'e or divided, the disc often furnished 

 with a callosity, ribbed or tuberculated, sometimes 

 prolonged into a spur, adnate with the ovary, and 

 forming a bag. Colunan elongated. Anther fleshy, 

 two to four-celled, pollen-masses four." 



In treating of the genus Bendrobium we remarked 

 that it was a very large family, and contained an 

 immense number of species and varieties of a highly 

 ornamental character. The same remarks apply to the 

 genus Epidendrum, but with this difference— that it 

 contains an immense number of species so weedy in 

 appearance, and possessing so little beauty, that they 

 do not find favour with cultivators of the present 

 day. There are, however, a goodly number of grand 

 species of Epidendrums, which will always keep the 

 genus represented in our plant-houses. 



Amongst the curious plants of this genus we ma}- 

 mention J^. fuiHiIe, from Jamaica, which has neither 

 stem nor leaves, but simply forms a small crown, and 

 a mass of white cord-like roots. Erom this crown 

 arise, at various seasons, numerous rather large white 

 flowers, furnished with a somewhat long spiu\ An- 

 other interesting plant is E. conopseum, not beauti- 

 ful, for the flowers are small and greenish-yellow, 

 but it is remarkable as being the most northern 

 epiphytal Orchid known, its native habitats being 

 on Oaks and other evergreen trees in East and West 

 Florida, on the Greorgian and Carolina coast, &c. 

 Again, E. cochleatum is a curious plant, the flowers 

 of which appear to be reversed, as the lip stands 

 erect, point upwards, in the shape of a half-bivalve, 

 rich crimson-purple in colour. Several other species 

 belong to this section, and although not showy in 

 colour, thej" are very fragrant. There are two 

 sections of Epidendrums, totally distinct in their 

 manner of growth, viz., those with tall slender reed- 

 like stems, which have their leaves arranged in a 

 two-ranked manner, and bear on the apex large dense 

 panicles of flowers. This class have hitherto not con- 

 formed kindly to cultivation. To some extent this 

 may be accounted for through their having been kept 

 in too high a temperature. The second section are 

 those of dwarf habit, forming small clustered, usually 

 ovate, pseudo-bulbs, and thick coriaceous leaves. The 

 former require to be grown in pots, but many of the 

 latter thrive best upon a block or in a basket. The 



compost should be equal parts of peat and Sphagnum, 

 with ample drainage ; all the members of the second 

 section should be well rested, but the others cannot 

 suffer a long drought. Mexican division and Peru- 

 vian House. 



E. atropuipurcum.— This plant succeeds best upon 

 a block or in a basket. It is a very beautiful species, 

 frequently to be found in collections under the name 

 of E. macrochilum. Pseudo-bulbs ovate, smooth, 

 bearing on the summit a pair of narrow, acute, dark 

 green, coriaceous leaves, from between which the 

 long spike arises, bearing numerous large sho%\y 

 flowers. Sepals and petals brownish-purple ; lip 

 large, three-lobed, side lobe forming a complete hood 

 over the column, middle lobe spreading, pure white, 

 ornamented with a blotch of reddish-ptirple at the 

 base. In the variety roseum the lip is rose-colour, 

 very dark rose at the base. April and May. Gua- 

 temala and Mexico. 



E, hlcornutum. — A totally distinct plant, now called 

 Exncrium hlcornutum. It is difficult to keep it long- 

 in health. It thrives best when fastened upon a bare 

 block of wood, with full exposure to the sun ; but, 

 at the same time, the atmosphere must be kept well 

 charged with moisture. Pseudo-bulbs twelve to thir- 

 teen inches high, ribbed, tapering slightly at both 

 ends, hollow in the middle ; leaves short and leathery, 

 spreading, and light green. Eaceme six to twelve- 

 flowered ; these are flat, and of great substance, re- 

 sembling a Phalsenopsis flower, ivorj'-white ; lip 

 three-lobed, ornamented with a few spots of crimson. 

 S])ring and early summer. Guiana. 



E. Brassavolce. — A singular and handsome species, 

 producing long flask-like pseudo-bulbs, bearing a 

 pair of oblong-acute leaves. Eaceme erect, about 

 two feet high, many-flowered; flowers three to foiu- 

 inches in diameter, sepals and petals spreading, 

 narrow, the colour- of chamois leather ; li^D flat, 

 pointed in front, where it is broadly tipped with rich 

 mauve, pure white at the base. It has been col- 

 lected in the mountains otf Guatemala and also on the 

 volcano of Chiriqui. Summer months. 



E. catilhcs. — This species has long reed-like stems, 

 clothed with large, oblong-acute, dark green sheath- 

 ing leaves ; panicle of bloom terminal, drooping and 

 many-flowered. The whole of the flower is of a 

 uniform bright cinnabar, except the front of the 

 fringed lip, which is white. Spring months. oSTew 

 Grenada. 



C. cncmidopliorum. — A grand and stately plant, 

 which, like so many of these paniculate Epidendrums, 

 requires abundance of pot-room and cool treatment. 

 Stems tkree to flve feet or more high, clothed with 

 very long, ligulate-acute, sheathing leaves. Panicle 

 terminal, pendent, a foot or more long, and many- 

 flowered ; sepals and petals pure white at the back. 



